Setting up a direct debit payment for council tax couldn’t be easier thanks to Islington Council’s new website. Islington council has joined the ranks of the elite few local authorities across the UK giving residents the option to submit a direct debit form on line.The new online direct debit set up, is part of the Council’s commitment to making its services faster, easier and better and represents a considerable technological triumph.Direct Debit is an easy, practical method of paying council tax that saves residents having to fill out a payment voucher for each instalment. It also ensures that payments are received on time.Residents who wish to take advantage of the new Direct Debit option need to go to the housing section of the council website, choose the council tax option and click on the online direct debit form. Then its simply a matter of entering five pieces of information.§ their name§ council tax account number§ bank account§ sort code § preferred payment date. The information supplied is checked by online validation software package. The information is stored securely on an online form after being encrypted to stop security violations.The new system benefits both residents and the council by cutting the processing time of a Direct Debit application to 2 days. Previously residents would have to fill out a paper form, send it off to have their details logged with BACS who would then process the Direct Debit on behalf of the bank or building society. This sequence of events used to take several weeks. Councillor George Allan, executive member for customer focus said: “We are consistently making it easier for our customers to access council services. Our e-government team have worked hard to develop this technology and I hope residents will find this a very useful service.”Councillor Bridget Fox, deputy leader of the council was the first person to take advantage of the new system and said; “As a busy person I was delighted to find how quick and easy it was to set up a Direct Debit for my council tax over the internet. I’d no idea I was the first person to use the service – I’m sure many more residents will be following my lead. This is another example of Islington Council using new technology to provide better services for local people.” This is another step forward in the council’s e-government programme, which is revolutionising the way the council interacts with customers. The councils new website also allows people to pay their business rates, housing rent and parking fines online, as well as take part in online discussions and report problems specific to their street or neighbourhood.Residents can set up their direct debit by visiting www.islington.gov.uk .ENDS
Page Last Updated: 29 July 2008