The 10 weirdest questions we've asked our local councils
|
Version 0 of 1. Many people like to complain about the council about bins, potholes and housing - but it appears many also think they have the answer to every question under the sun. From how to host a mouse race to help in tracking down a boy met in Ibiza, local councils have fielded an array of bizarre calls from their faithful residents this year. The size of Mary Berry's strawberry tart in the Great British Bake-Off, when the council's website "closes" and the number of geese on a nearby lake are just a few other choice enquiries. The Local Government Association (LGA), which deals with about 50 million calls across England and Wales every year has released some of the calls that have left staff in its 370 councils completely baffled. Top 10 most bizarre calls: (Stevenage Borough Council) (Somerset County Council) (Nottinghamshire County Council) (a call to Staffordshire County Council from an elderly lady asking for help on her crossword) (Stevenage Borough Council) (Somerset County Council) (Nottinghamshire County Council) (a question to North East Lincolnshire Council from a caller who wanted to visit but was allergic to feathers) (Poole Borough Council) (Somerset County Council) Though often utterly stumped, the LGA did say its 370 councils, many of which operate up to 800 services at once, try to help where they can. One elderly resident who asked Stevenage Borough Council where she could buy a shopping trolley was apparently directed to her nearest store after a quick internet search. In its press release on the eclectic list, the LGA added: "The fact that councils are so often the first port of call for residents who are seeking a solution to their problems shows just how central a role councils play in the lives of their communities." |