New Ways To Pay Council Bills

Anyone who pays their council bills with cash or Debit card will be able to complete their payments at more than 40 shops and Post Offices across Shepway from 1 December

Using new payment cards, customers wanting to pay council rent, garage rent, council tax or business rates can go into any Paypoint outlet or Post Office across the district. Post Offices will also be able to take cheques.

Cllr Pam Carr, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, said it was one of the ways the council hoped to make services more convenient and accessible - especially in rural areas.

"We hope it will make it easier for our customers who pay routine council bills like rent, council tax, garage rent and business rates. Instead of having to come into the Civic Centre or One Stop Services, they will be able to go to a local shop.

"From early December, people will also be able to make payments through a new automated payment line service that operate for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year."

People who usually visit the council to pay their bills will be sent new payment cards or bar-coded invoices. A leaflet listing all payment outlets across the district will also be available.

Council offices will not accept cash or cheque payments after 1 December - although there will be a cheque drop-off point at the Civic Centre in Folkestone.

Anyone who would like more information about the council tax payment card or set up a Direct Debit should contact Customer Services on 01303 853555 or for rent and garage payment cards should contact Housing Services on 01303 853700

View a copy of the 'places you can pay leaflet' : Places2Pay 2009