Northamptonshire County Council adopts 0300 number

Date: 01/12/2011

Northamptonshire County Council has launched a new 0300 number.

The authority is using it to replace its old 01604 local number and the change comes into effect today (December 1st).

It means all callers will only be charged a local rate if they are getting in touch using a landline, no matter what their own area code.

Councillor Heather Smith, cabinet member for customer services, said: "Eventually, this will be the main number for all county council services, instead of customers having to choose between an extensive range of council telephone numbers."

When they dial the number, people will be greeted by an automated call-handling system that gives the option of selecting which council service they require.

New 0300 numbers could be the ideal choice for certain organisations, as they are only available to those operating in the charity or public sectors, which may differentiate them from other businesses.