Contacting us

You can contact us by phone by calling the service you need. You can find the relevant phone number in each section of the website.

You can also call our main number, which is 01245 606606.

If you call this number, you will need to use our automated system.

To use the automated system, you need to clearly state the service or person you want to speak to.

The automated system recognises voices, and if there is a lot of background noise, it may not be able to recognise who you need.

If you have problems using the automated system, say "Customer Services" to be put through to one of our Customer Services Advisers.

You can visit us in person at the Customer Service Centre, Civic Centre during our opening hours, which are:

• 8:45am to 4:45pm Monday to Friday
• 10am to 4:45pm on the last Wednesday of the month, to allow for staff training

If your enquiry is complex, we recommend that you arrive before 4:15pm so that we have time to fully resolve it.

You can find out how to get to the Civic Centre.

At the Customer Service Centre, we have:

• a Reception, where you can ask general questions, hand in documents or book to see an adviser
   
• self-service payment machines, where you can make a variety of payments, including:
   
  • Council Tax
  • Business Rates
  • parking fines
  • invoices
  • overpaid Housing Benefit
  • resident parking
  • licences        

• self-service desktop computers, where you can access our online services, including:
   
  • Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction applications
  • housing register applications
  • planning applications        

• advisors on hand to deal with:
   

  • Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction applications

  • housing register applications

  • homelessness

  • change of circumstance

• phones so that you can call our services
   

• meeting rooms

You can find out how to get to the Civic Centre.

You can contact us by post using our address, or using the post box at the Customer Service Centre, Civic Centre.

If you are submitting an application or payment by post, you should address it to the relevant service.

We check our post box regularly, but the most reliable way to contact us or make a payment is online.

We visit 17 rural communities in the Chelmsford area, so that you can access our services at your local village hall, shop or Post Office.

At the Mobile Customer Information Service, you can:

• find out how to get help with benefits and Council Tax

• report environmental problems

• get free replacement recycling sacks and dog waste bags

• discuss local issues

You can check our schedule of visits to find out where we visit, and when we will be visiting.

We expect the highest standards of conduct and integrity from anyone who works for us, whether they are employees or contractors. 

We will investigate any allegations that we have not met these standards. We take all complaints seriously and are keen to resolve your problem.

You can find out how to make a complaint.