Interpreting and translating

The Council is committed to ensuring that:

• communications are available in a wide and appropriate variety of formats so that no one is excluded from accessing Council information
• information reaches target audiences in the most appropriate way, making special efforts to include traditionally 'hard to reach' groups and those with particular requirements

How to access the facilities

If you require assistance you should contact the Council's Customer Service Centre.

Telephone: 01428 242242
Text Phone: 01438 242555

They will arrange for Council documents to be made available in alternative formats and languages as quickly as possible and we will inform the customer how long this will take.

Unfortunately, the Council do not stock copies of documents in alternative languages 'just in case' they are requested, as it is not cost effective to do so.  This is due to the relatively small number of requests received from our customers.  As we continue to publicise this service, it is likely that more requests will be made and therefore this may need to be reviewed.

Lanaguage Line

In some cases, it may be more cost effective to arrange for an interpreter. Language Line is a telephone interpreting service, to which the Council subscribes. It provides interpreters for the twenty-eight most used languages for customers either by telephone or in person.

Telephone 01438 242242, or Text Phone 01438 242555 to make a request.

Website Translation

It is possible to translate sections or entire pages of stevenage.gov.uk using the free Babel Fish Translation web translation service provided by AltaVista. To translate a page or text from a page click the link below:

Babelfish online translation service

If you have any questions about this translations protocol, e-mail: communications@stevenage.gov.uk or telephone the Corporate Communications Unit on 01438 242168 and someone will assist you.