Customer Services

Paying routine council bills like housing rent and council tax could be easier in the future.

Shepway Council is looking at new ways of handling payments and giving customers the chance to complete transactions at over 40 places to pay, including local shops and Post Offices in Shepway.

It is just one of the options the council is exploring to make its services more convenient and accessible - especially in rural areas. Other options include working with partners like town and parish councils, Police and Kent County Council to share offices, staff and expertise so that customers can get a range of different information and advice more easily at various locations across the district.

Cllr Pamela Carr, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, said final plans would not be known until later next year although she hoped Cabinet would approve them in principal in February.

"We are looking at the ways customers use our services and want to make sure we target our money and our staff to the meet those needs most effectively. We will be carrying out public surveys before any final decisions are made but the principle behind the proposed change is to offer a better, more accessible and efficient service. Having more than 40 places to pay routine council bills is just one example of being more accessible while keeping the face-to-face service that customers want."