The opportunity to chat in real-time will enable residents to gain greater clarity about specific problems and queries they may have. Customers will be able to click on the live chat option on the website; which will connect them with a customer services advisor who will best assist with their enquiry.

Live web-chat will be immediately available for the most popular web pages; Parking, Waste Management and Housing Advice. Live web – chat for these services will be accessible between Monday – Friday 10.00-15.00 and for Council Tax between Monday – Friday 10.00-12.00. and 15.00-17.00.

Councillor Hall, Deputy Leader of the Council said:

“Web chat is a new and exciting development that allows our customers to interact online in real time with the customer service team. Getting better access to the people who are best able to answer their needs, discuss their queries or just help provide understanding of a certain issue.”

“We are very excited that we have been able to introduce another way for our citizens to seek help. Today more than ever before we need information to be accessible to people of all ages and we actively want to reach all parts of our community. Our web chat is part of our ongoing digital strategy and we hope that the number of services we use live web-chat for will grow over the coming months. Of course this facility will run alongside our more traditional customer services for residents.”