New virtual assistant helps residents find council information anytime, day or night
07 October 2026
Residents can now get help finding information about West Northamptonshire Council services more quickly and easily thanks to a new virtual assistant available on the Council's website.
The virtual assistant has been developed by the Council’s Digital Services team and is designed to help residents, businesses and professionals access information about our services without having to search across multiple webpages.
Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the assistant allows users to ask questions in their own words and receive instant answers based on council-approved information. It can help with a wide range of queries, from checking bin collection days and finding recycling information to locating forms, guidance and contact details for council services.
The assistant is available in multiple languages, helping more residents’ access information in a way that works for them.
Since its initial rollout, the virtual assistant has been managing more than 2,000 conversations a month, with enquiries covering topics such as bins and collections, council tax, recycling and housing. Feedback from users has been positive, particularly around the speed of responses and the ability to access information outside normal office hours.
Cllr Andrew Last, Cabinet Member for HR, Corporate Services and Regulatory Services at West Northamptonshire Council: “We want it to be as easy as possible for residents to access information and services from the Council whenever they need them. This new virtual assistant is helping people find answers quickly, at any time of the day or night, without having to search through multiple webpages.
“It is already supporting thousands of enquiries every month and is making it easier for residents to get the information they need; while still ensuring they can speak to a member of staff when further support is required. This is another positive step in our ongoing work to improve customer experience and make our services more accessible and convenient for everyone.”
The virtual assistant is designed to help people find information quickly and easily, while ensuring residents can still access support from council staff when needed. Where it cannot answer a question, it can direct users to the most appropriate service or contact route.
Residents can access the service by visiting our website and clicking the chat icon.