What is happening
Customers will be able to pay for council services at post offices and local shops from the end of January. The move means that while customers won’t be able to make payments at council offices, they will have a much wider range of outlets to choose from. It’s part of the council’s plans to support local businesses while offering customers greater choice.
Why it is happening
Over recent years we have seen many changes in society and technology that reflects how customers choose to access council services. Many customers now choose to pay for council services by direct debit or over the internet as opposed to making cash payments at council offices. When South Gloucestershire Council was created in 1996 it processed approximately 600,000 transactions a year. In 2008 this number had decreased to 177,000 – a reduction of some 70 per cent!
While there has been a massive reduction in the number of payment transactions processed, the cost of providing the service has increased, resulting in the service becoming extremely expensive. For example, a transaction processed by the council’s cash office currently costs somewhere in the region of £1.29, compared with the cost of processing a payment at the Post Office (57p) or direct debit (7p). The council has a commitment to deliver value for money for its customers and this clearly illustrates that the service doesn’t provide good value for money.
Nearly a quarter of payments processed by the cashier service at council offices are payments received from Merlin customers. Due to the cost of the service and under guidance from the Tenancy Services Authority (TSA), Merlin are looking to withdraw from using all council services.
Around 21 per cent of customers choose to send cheques to the cashier service through the post as opposed to making payment in person. PLEASE NOTE for these customers there will be no change and they will be able to continue to send cheques through the post to pay for council services.
How you can pay for council services in the future
Please note the new arrangements for making payment for council services came into effect on 1 February 2010. How the change affects you personally will depend upon how you are currently paying for council services:
Automated telephone or internet payments – if this is how you currently make payments, you can continue to do so – there will be no change to this service.
Sending postal payments – You can continue to send cheques to the council through the post. Please write your customer reference number on the back of the cheque.
If you pay at the cash desks in person – this facility is no longer be available. The easiest and most convenient way to make payment is by direct debit. Council Tax payments can be made at any Post Office in the UK providing you take your bill with you. For all other council services please see your invoice/bill for payment details.
Direct Debit – Why not take advantage of this change and switch your Council Tax payments to direct debit. This can now be set up over the phone, quickly and easily. Ring us to discuss further on 01454 868003
Merlin Customers – Merlin will write to you informing you of how you can pay your rent to them.
What you should do now
Please refer to your bill or invoice on how to make future payments to the council. If you would like to request a direct debit mandate or discuss this matter further please contact one of our Customer Services Offices