Information on Loughborough

A New Way to Pay!

Posted on 09/03/2009

A NEWconvenient way to payCharnwood BoroughCouncil bills and invoices is being introduced.

The Council are joining forces with Allpay to add barcodes to most Council bills, which will allow customers to pay them at any Post Office or Paypoint outlet across the country.

This means that there will now be over 50 places to pay Council Tax, Business Rates, Benefit Repayments and GardenWaste invoices across the Borough and 32,000 venues nationwide.

Cash payments can be made for free at any of these locations and the Post Office will also accept payments by cheque or debit card for free as well.

Customers need to give bills to the shop assistant for them to scan the barcode, tell them how much they want to pay and then make the payment.

A receipt for the payment will be given and bills will be returned for use next time.

Cllr David Snartt, Charnwoods Cabinet Member for Customer Services, said: "These outlets will often be more accessible and closer to home than the Council offices in central Loughborough.

"Many will be open outside of traditional office hours, including evenings, weekends and public holidays, and so can offer customers greater freedom of when as well as where to pay.

"Charnwood Neighbourhood Housing tenants have been able to use Allpay payment cards to pay their rent since July 2006. This has proved to be a successful and welcome way to pay.

"Allpay has also been welcomed by residents in other Boroughs who have similarly converted to this new method of payment.

Payments at the Councils cash office have declined in recent years, falling by more than 35% - around 38,000 payments - since 2006 and the cash desk is to close on April 30th.

From May 1st, cash payments will no longer be accepted at the Council offices.

Council Tax instalment slips and payment books will also no longer be available.

Instead, barcoded bills are being introduced to allow time for customers to get used to paying by this new way before the cash desk closes.

Alternatively, many Council bills can be paid by Direct Debit or by Debit or Credit Card using the 24 hour automated telephone payment service - Loughborough 01509 634 555 - or via the internet at www.charnwood.gov.uk.

Cheques can also be posted to the Council offices. These should be made payable to Charnwood Borough Council, with a reference or account number and what the payment is for written on the reverse.

To find out more, call (Loughborough 01509) 634 545, e-mail information@charnwood.gov.uk or log on to www.charnwood.gov.uk