Apologies in advance for busy phones

Customers trying to contact North Norfolk District Council by telephone over the next two weeks may have difficulty getting through to the switchboard, as the Council is sending out its council tax bills - which always prompts a heavy volume of calls.

More than 55,000 bills for 2008/09 will be sent out this week and next, alongside thousands more letters, sent separately, notifying benefits recipients about how much benefit they will receive in the next financial year. These mail-outs always result in an extra volume of phone calls to the Council's office at Cromer, and while extra staff have been tasked with answering the phones, NNDC still expects callers to suffer some delays in getting through.

Anyone who does try to call about their bills - on 01263 516071 or 516230 - is asked to do so first thing in the morning (after 8.30am, or 10am Wednesdays) or late in the afternoon (before 5pm), as these are the least busy times of day. Anyone with a non-urgent inquiry about their council tax bill is asked to email ctaxreg@north-norfolk.gov.uk or write to the Council Tax Section, North Norfolk District Council, Holt Road, Cromer, Norfolk, NR27 9EN. The Council apologises in advance for any inconvenience.

ENDS