Housing hotline proves a big success, say bosses

The Golden Number—0300 100 2010—was set up by 2010 Rotherham so that people ringing up could speak to a specially trained member of 2010 Rotherham's First Contact Team for advice.

Since the number’s launch, staff have dealt with queries ranging from rents, and new property allocations to nuisance neighbours—and even a question about how many chickens a council tenant can keep.

The success of the Golden Number has now sparked the introduction of a new central email address at [email protected] which will also be dealt with by the First Contact Team.

Jon Cocker, 2010 Rotherham's acting head of customer contact and ICT, said: “We introduced the 0300 100 2010 number as we wanted to make it easier for our customers to contact us.

“The number replaced various Neighbourhood Office numbers and is so easy to remember that people can use it even if they are out and about.

“Having one central team has meant we can provide a faster response to people's queries, whether by phone, email or post.

“We have also extended our opening hours from 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday.”

Of the 29 First Contact Team staff, 23 are based at 2010 Rotherham Eastwood headquarters, while the remaining six work out of Rotherham Borough Council's customer service centres.

The team deal with all housing enquiries except for repairs, both general and emergency, for which council tenants should continue to ring 01709 336009. However, if anyone forgets the repairs number, there is now an option to be connected to this number from the 0300 100 2010 number.

2010 Rotherham's Neighbourhood Offices are open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8.45am to 4.30pm and on Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm.

2010 Rotherham housing staff are available at council customer service centres across the borough from Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm.