2 November 2009, 09/258
Next time go
online – it’s six times cheaper
Local residents are being urged to help keep
Council Tax bills down - simply by switching from the phone
to the website when they want to contact the Council.
Using the website www.westlancs.gov.uk can save
money for both the customer and the Council. Every time a customer
phones West Lancs Borough Council it costs the authority an average
of £1.63 to handle the call. But if people get in touch through the
website it costs just 26 pence – that’s less than a sixth of the
cost, and it’s available 24 hours a day.
The Council is now launching a special appeal
for people to go online and help make savings that could keep
Council Tax bills down and free up funds for other front-line
services .
The Council Leader, Ian Grant, explained: “We
receive thousands of phone calls each year from local people, for
example asking for a new blue box or recycling bag, or a repair to
their council home, or to report fly tipping,. But all this – and
more – can be done on our website www.westlancs.gov.uk. The
website is convenient, quick, available 24/7 and easy-to-use.
In many cases it’s cheaper to go online than pick up the phone,
send a letter or make a special journey to visit our office.
“In addition, if you use the website you’ll
help keep costs down for the Council, as it’s cheaper for the
Council to deal with online requests. The Council needs to have in
mind the financial challenges posed by the current economic
recession – as are many people – and we’re working hard to make
savings and give value for money to our residents. So please help
us if you can. If possible, next time go online – it’s
six times cheaper!”
Cllr Grant added: “I appreciate that many
people don’t use the internet or have access to it, and instead
prefer to call us or visit us. Also, although our website is
getting better all the time and providing an increasing range of
online services, it may never be possible to do everything online.
So I’d like to reassure people that we’ll continue to provide a
choice as to how customers wish to access our services and be here
to answer phone calls. Our customer service points will therefore
also still be there for you to visit. But I hope those who have a
choice will consider switching to online facilities when they want
to get in touch with us or request a service.”
The Council operates a “Click, Call, Come-in”
service for customers:
- Click onto the website www.westlancs.gov.uk
- Call : 01695 577177
- Come in to the Council Offices at 52 Derby
Street, Ormskirk or the CSP, Skelmersdale.
More than 100 services are now available
online through the Council website www.westlancs.gov.uk/doitonline.
You can also pay bills online through the secure payment system.
You can access services 24/7 without having to make a journey to
see us or pick up the phone: it’s convenient, quick and easy.
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