THE contract for out-of-hours call handling at Ealing Council has been awarded to Capita Local Public Services. The initial seven-year deal begins next month.

Keith Townsend, executive director, environment and customer services at Ealing Council, said: “We need around-the-clock arrangements in place to manage our out-of-hours calls, so we can respond to our residents’ needs quickly and efficiently.

“The contract is open for more public-sector partners to join and, by doing so, would reduce costs for all members.”