Thank heavens that I am not a Bath and NES Council Tax payer, or I should be concerned (concerned? more ) that my money was being wasted on and by ill-trained and possibly incompetent staff. It would appear that they have introduced a service, at a cost, without understanding it.
Either that or they are lying.

I wonder if the hoteliers and guest houses of Bath realise that their tourist office cannot be contacted from abroad. 

The fowl up by the council over the Spa project is said to have cost millions in foreign tourism revenue. Maybe it's their phone number that caused the reduction in tourists!

2.      Why do you use 0845 numbers?
2.1.  And if so, what are the equivalent geographical numbers?
2.2.  What revenue do you receive per minute and in total from the use of 0845 numbers?
2.3.  Are you aware of the revenue collected by your telecom provider, from your callers?
2.4.  Have you considered the revised COI1 guidelines?
2.4.1.      If so, what conclusions did you come to?
2.5.  Do you realise that a call to local number costs the same as a call to a national number when made from the same location for the majority of telephone subscribers?
2.6.  Do you realise that 0845 numbers now offer no cost advantage to callers, irrespective of their location, only disadvantages?
2.7.  Are you aware of the cost implications to your callers, when using 0845 numbers, including calls from mobile phones?
2.8.  How much does it cost to call an 0845 number:
2.8.1.      In the Daytime.
2.8.2.      In the Evening.
2.8.3.      At Weekends.

We have already supplied responses to parts of this question (please refer to our letter of 8/8/2005). Those parts of your question I have highlighted in bold have either been rephrased in your most recent request, or you have added more information to those parts we indicated we did not understand. I can now further respond as follows:

2.1 The geographic number allocated to the service is an Ascot (01344) number at Inform Communication plc’s premises in Berkshire.

2.4 and 2.4.1. We hold no recorded information on this subject.

2.5 If the question relates to the fact that callers from anywhere in the country are charged at local rate only, then this is a correct statement and provides a no-cost benefit to the council and a possible cost saving to the customers if they call from outside the local area. However, if the question relates to the difference between ‘Local’ calls and ‘National Rate’ calls, then it is incorrect. Local calls mean that the callers pay the same as if they made a local call to a local telephone number. National Rate calls charge the customer more than a local call and can create an income for the service provider / client. These numbers are used by organisations that may receive enquiries from all over the country and wish to provide a fixed cost per minute to the caller rather than penalise some callers for having to call longer distance and, therefore, pay more for the call.

2.8 The following are BT’s latest prices for 0845 numbers:

For calls made between Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm the cost to the caller is 3.36 pence per minute (on a per second used basis) plus VAT subject to a minimum connection charge equal to 22 seconds.

For calls made outside the above hours, the cost to the caller is 0.85 pence per minute.

3.      Why do you use a premium rate 0906 number for Tourist Information?
3.1.  And if so, what is the equivalent geographical number?
3.2.  Have you considered the fact that this number cannot be dialled from outside the UK, and cannot be dialled on some mobile phone operators?
3.3.  What revenue do you receive per minute and in total from the use of this premium rate number?
3.4.  Are you aware of the revenue collected by your telecom provider, from your callers?
3.5.  Have you considered the revised COI1 guidelines?
3.5.1. If so, what conclusions did you come to?
3.6.  Was “best value” considered in the use of this number?
3.7.  Who was involved when you “went to tender” on the 0906 number.

The 0906 number, although originally set up by the Council in 2002, is now used by Bath Tourism Plus. Points 3 - 3.5.1 are operational matters which Bath & North East Somerset couldn't answer on behalf of Bath Tourism Plus. If you require further information please contact BTP, as above.

In relation to point 3.6, value for money was considered in terms of improving the number of 'calls answered'. At the time less than 60% of incoming calls to the Tourist Information Centre were being answered, against a long term decline in income in all operational areas. Therefore as a solution the premium rate line was introduced and the income generated was re-invested in staffing levels in the Tourist Information Centre. After the line was set up another member of staff was recruited and call answering was increased to 90%.

In relation to point 3.7 members of both Bath & North East Somerset Council's Economic Development Service (then Economic Development, Sustainability and Tourism) and Bath Tourism Plus were involved in the tendering process for the line; however the Council no longer holds records of the tenders that were received.