The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services and Compliance, Councillor Xanthea Limberg, unveiled the latest FreeCall line (FCL), situated in the Claremont Library on Wednesday, 13 January 2016. This brings the total number of FCLs that have been installed to 142. Access to these telephone lines makes it easier for even more residents to call on the City for help, at no cost to themselves.

‘I am sure many will agree that cellphones have a knack of running out of airtime or having a flat battery when we need them most. In addition, the high cost of cellphone calls often makes it difficult for residents to reach out to the City for services. This free service can be seen as a lifeline that makes the City more accessible to communities. FreeCall lines can be used to contact the City for various enquiries and service requests relating to, for example, account enquiries, refuse collection, illegal dumping, water leaks, sewer blockages, street lights that are not working, potholes and damaged roads.

 

‘Our commitment to redress drives our desire to connect communities so that service delivery can be improved. When a resident uses the FreeCall line, the phone automatically connects to the City’s call centre as the caller lifts the receiver. A call centre agent answers the phone in the language of the caller’s choice, logs the service request, and gives the caller a reference number,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services and Compliance, Councillor Xanthea Limberg.

 

Of the almost one million calls received via the City’s call centre, a total of 55 457 calls were received via the FCLs between January and November 2015, making this the highest number of calls received since 2012.

 

 

By reporting faults, complaints, vandalism and theft of City property, residents can play their part in helping us build a well-run city, together. The City is aware of the limited landline availability and the high costs of cellphone calls. This led the Corporate Services Directorate to install FreeCall lines in public amenities which residents can use to contact the City.

 

‘This is an important tool for our residents as it empowers them to contact the City directly at no cost, without having to pass all individual requests through their ward councillor,’ added Councillor Limberg.

 

In line with our commitment to building a caring city, more FreeCall lines will be installed in communities across the city during this financial year.

 

The photo inset shows Cllr Ian Iversen of Subcouncil 20 (left) with Cllr Xanthea Limberg, the Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services and Compliance, at the launch of the new FreeCall line in Claremont Library.