Ellie Ames 12 June 2024

Councils plan to reduce phone hours to cut costs

Councils plan to reduce phone hours to cut costs image
Image: iona didishvili / Shutterstock.com

West Oxfordshire and Cotswold district councils will consider cutting back the number of hours residents can get in touch by phone.

A report by West Oxfordshire celebrated a ‘successful’ trial that saw both local authorities operate their customer services phone lines from 9am and 2pm rather than staying open until 5pm.

It highlighted a 350% surge in the use of digital channels to contact both councils between 2021 and 2023 – from around 33,000 to 115,000.

Over the same period, the volume of calls fell by 37%, from 230,000 to 144,000.

The change would enable staff to be hired for shorter days, saving each council £125,000 a year, the report said.

Calls would still be taken between 2pm and 5pm if they related to reports of dangerous structures, homelessness support, or support for residents in the lead-up to an election.

Any permanent changes will have to be agreed by both councils, which run their customer services through jointly-owned Publica.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Project Manager (Regeneration)

West Yorkshire Combined Authority
£49,359 to £56,057 per annum (pay award pending) – Grade 9
With ambitious goals ahead, we need dedicated individuals who are ready to make a real impact as part of our expanding Housing team Leeds / Hybrid
Recuriter: West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerPermanent, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerFixed Term, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

HR Advisor - Pay & Policy (Career Grade)

Wakefield Council
Grade 9 - Grade 10, Career Grade, 24 hours, Permanent
Are you ready to make a difference and shape policies that foster a high performing and inclusive workplace? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Leisure Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£12,013.50 - £12,202.00, Grade 3, 18.5 hours, Permanent
Are You Ready to Make a Difference in Your Community? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner