PREMIUM RATE CLAIMS DON'T RING TRUE - TILSLEY

29-03-2008

Claims that Birmingham Council is planning to introduce a premium rate phone number for taxpayers’ enquiries have been rubbished by the city’s deputy leader Paul Tilsley. But the Labour councillor who raised the alarm is refusing to withdraw his petition – at least for now.

We revealed yesterday that Steve Bedser (Longbridge) was collecting signatures against the introduction on an 0870 line when the local authority introduces a “one stop shop” for callers.

That brought an angry response from Tilsley who said, “The story is total garbage, not one word of truth in it.

“The City Council will have a single number, which will be at normal rates.

“The call centre will be in Birmingham - site already identified - employing local people.

“Sign that its coming up to elections, float a story that has no basis in fact then campaign against it, worse it that the petition is on the website!

“Steve get your facts right, don’t create fears in people and scare them.

“Your leadership have had full briefings on Customer First, there have never been any plans for premium phone numbers, withdraw now with some dignity.

“I should know I have been working of the project as Cabinet sponsor,
Paul Tilsley”.

Bedser was unrepentant in face of the verbal volley, although he admitted that he had no evidence of any plan to introduce the premium rate charge.

“”I’m concerned about 0870 numbers generally. My aim was to keep them on the straight and narrow, so if it was successful then I’m happy.”

And he added that the petition might still be submitted to Tuesday’s full Council meeting.