Swipe Cards Cut Down on Payment Paperwork

North Norfolk residents who pay their council tax bills in person at council offices, banks and post offices will find it easier from April, with the introduction of swipe cards to replace the old paper payment slips.

The swipe cards will be sent this month [February] to the 6000 or so council tax payers who choose to pay over the counter, so they can start using them when the 2007/08 financial year begins. Letters have already been sent to those people warning them of the change, and explaining how the new system will work.

Essentially, it will work just the same as before, but with the swipe cards instead of the book of payment slips that have been issued every year to those who chose not to pay by direct debit.

The swipe cards do not have any monetary value, and are not like debit or credit cards. They simply hold the same data that used to be printed onto payment slips. This saves North Norfolk District Council the cost of printing those slips (many of which went unused), and saves on paperwork at banks, building societies, post offices and council cashiers' desks.

But the change also means that people can now pay at village stores, service stations and other locations that are part of the Pay Point network, helping people overcome problems of transport and rural remoteness and giving them even greater choice.

Councillor Peter Moore, Cabinet Member for Resources, said: "This gives our customers more choice and flexibility. Any service improvements that also save the council taxpayers money are most welcome."

NOTES FOR EDITOR

• North Norfolk District Council collects council tax on behalf of Norfolk County Council, Norfolk Constabulary and parish councils. It only keeps about 10% of residents' total bills to pay for its own services.
• The District Council does recommend people pay by direct debit, as keeps costs down and saves residents time and hassle. Direct debits can be set up by calling the Council on 01263 516230.

ENDS