By Vivienne Russell | 26 August 2013
Crocodile keeping, horse burial and solitary frog removal are just some of the bizarre requests councils were asked to deal with last year, the Local Government Association has revealed.
According to an LGA poll, published today, council workers have been asked to advise on everything from the best way to marinade a steak to how to use a chain saw.
Peter Fleming, chair of the LGA’s improvement and innovation board, said the examples showed that councils needed to be ready for anything.
‘While the vast majority of calls fall within the bounds of councils’ usual responsibilities, there are occasions when call handlers are left baffled,’ he said.
‘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.’
But, Fleming added, despite their wide range of duties, some requests were beyond them.
The LGA’s top 10 bizarre calls:
1. Are there any regulations on keeping a crocodile in my back garden? (Reigate & Banstead Council)
2. Can you teach me how to use a chain saw? (Chelmsford Borough Council)
3. Do you know where I could get an old bath that I could fill with custard? (Sutton Council)
4. Can you send a pest control officer to remove a frog from the bottom of the communal stairs in my block of flats? (Crawley Borough Council)
5. Am I allowed to bury my horse in my back garden? (Warwickshire County Council)
6. “I’ve tried the number given on your website for the library but it doesn’t work”
“What was the number?”
“0900 1800”
“I’m sorry those are the times the library is open between” (Surrey County Council)
7. How can I get permission to pitch a tent on the central reservation of the A35 trunk road? (Derby City Council)
8. How do you make a marinade to put on my barbecue steaks? (Newark and Sherwood District Council)
9. A lady rang to say she couldn’t get any reception on her TV. She’d already contacted the police and the fire brigade but they couldn’t help, so she called the council (Rossendale Borough Council)
10. Can you remove all porn from the internet? (Westminster City Council)
