SOMERSET NEWS: Some of the unusual requests received by Somerset County Council!

SOMERSET NEWS: Some of the unusual requests received by Somerset County Council!

HOW high is Mount Kilimanjaro and can you translate words from Latin into English? Just some of the unusual requests Somerset County Council received out of around 250,000 phone calls made to the authority last year.

The vast majority of calls in 2014 did cover the council’s business ranging from libraries to street lights and from reporting potholes to requests for birth and marriage certificates.

But the council has revealed some of the more unusual phone calls it received – such as:

What size tin is required for the Mary Berry strawberry tart featured on the BBC’s Great British Bake Off?

What are the rules and regulations for hosting a mouse race?

How high is Mt Kilimanjaro?

I’ve eaten an out of date pork pie – what should I do?

Can you translate words from Latin into English?

Do you have a list of film times for the cinema?

News of the bizarre requests comes with the council making it easier and cheaper for people to get in touch with the launch of a new 0300 number.SOMERSET NEWS: Some of the unusual requests received by Somerset County Council!

From today (Friday, March 6, 2015), the council’s ten separate 0845 numbers have been replaced with a single number for all telephone enquiries – 0300 123 2224.

This means people will no longer need to decide which 0845 number to ring and on average it will be cheaper to call. The 0300 number is charged at the same rate as numbers starting 01 and 02 and calls to it are automatically included with free mobile and landline call packages.

Council leader, Cllr John Osman, said: “Our call handlers are well trained and as helpful as possible. But they are there to help with enquiries about the support and services that we have to offer.”

“So if you’re looking to report a pothole or to find out about school admissions, then 0300 123 2224 is the only number you need. If you have a more general question, then perhaps try phoning a friend instead.”

Cllr Osman added: “While our website will answer many council-related questions nowadays, we still received a quarter of a million calls last year and the contact centre Somerset Direct remains a vital way for members of the public to contact us.

“I’m pleased we have been able to simplify this process by providing one easy to remember number for all enquiries – and I’m delighted this will also make it cheaper for people to call.”

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