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Other Payment Methods

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Information on how to make payments to Barrow Borough Council.

 

The other payment methods available are:

 
You can pay for:
  • Council Tax
  • Housing Rents
  • Invoices
  • Car Park Fines
  • Car Parking Contracts
  • Business Rates
  • Mortgages
  • Benefit Overpayments 
  • Other Fines

Please refer to the payment method information below to find out which payment methods are available for the payment you are making.

Direct Debit

What can I pay by Direct Debit?

You can pay for Council Tax, Business Rates and Car Parking Contracts.
 

Why should I pay by Direct Debit?

Paying by Direct Debit is the simplest and easiest way to pay.

Here is why:
  • You remain in control.
  • You have a money-back guarantee.
  • You only sign one form and your Bank or Building Society does the rest.
  • You can forget queues, cheques and stamps saving time and money.
  • It is a lot safer than cash.
Remember that Direct Debits are automated, not automatic.  So if you have a query, you have time to check anything you don't understand or agree with, and under the rules of the Direct Debit guarantee any payment that breaks the terms of your instruction will be refunded immediately to your account.
 

Where can I get a Direct Debit instruction?

For Council Tax and Business Rates you can complete the instruction at the bottom of the rear of your bill and return it to Liberata UK Ltd.
For Car Parking Contracts you can complete the mandate that is sent to you when you apply for your permit and return it to Parking Services as instructed.
 

When will my payment be processed?

For Council Tax you can choose from 3 different payment dates: 1st of the month, 16th of the month or 28th of the month.  For Business Rates you can choose from 2 different payment dates: 1st of the month or the 16th of the month.  The payment will be collected from your account on your chosen monthly payment date or the next working day if the date falls on a weekend or bank holiday.  The payment appears on your account on the same day that it is collected.
 
For Car Parking Contracts payments are collected on the 1st of the month or the next working day if the 1st falls on a weekend or bank holiday.  You can choose to pay monthly, quarterly, half yearly or annually from January each year.  The payment appears on your account on the same day that it is collected.
 

Can I cancel a Direct Debit instruction?

Yes.  Instructions can be cancelled by writing to your Bank or Building Society.  Please send a copy of the cancellation to the Council.
 

What happens if a mistake is made?

If the Council or your Bank or Building Society makes an error, you are guaranteed a full and immediate refund from your Bank or Building Society of the amount paid.
 

Does signing a Direct Debit instruction mean that the Council can take money out of my account as they like?

No.  The Council can collect only the authorised amount.  If this or the date of collection changes we will tell you at least 10 working days in advance so that you have time to query the bill.
 

What sort of account do I need to use Direct Debits?

For Council Tax and Business Rates most current accounts at Banks and Building Societies can be used to make Direct Debit payments.  Some special deposit accounts now allow them too just ask your branch.
 
For Car Parking Contracts only Bank accounts can currently be used to make Direct Debit payments.
 

Can any organisation collect money by Direct Debit?

No. Banks and Building Societies only permit organisations with known integrity and sound financial and administrative capabilities to collect money by Direct Debit.
 
 

Standing order

What can I pay by Standing order?

You can pay for Council Tax, Housing Rents, Invoices, Business Rates and Mortgages.
 

Where can I get a Standing order form?

For Council Tax and Business Rates you can obtain forms and details from Liberata UK Ltd: Customer Services, Town Hall - (01229) 404242.
For Housing Rents you can obtain forms and details from the Housing Department, Cavendish House, 78 Duke Street - (01229) 876432. 
For Invoices and Mortgages you can obtain forms and details from the Borough Treasurer's Department - (01229) 876448.
Once you have completed the form you will need to send it to your bank or building society.
 

When will my payment be processed?

Please note that it may take 6-10 days for payments to be matched to your account using this method of payment.
 

Can I amend a Standing order instruction?

Yes.  If you just need to amend the value of your standing order you can do this by writing to your Bank or Building Society, you do not need to cancel the original standing order you can amend it.
 

Can I cancel a Standing order instruction?

Yes.  Instructions can be cancelled by writing to your Bank or Building Society.  Please send a copy of the cancellation to the Council.
 

Touch Tone (telephone payment service)

What is Touch Tone?

Touch Tone is an automated telephone payment service that allows you to pay by credit or debit card over the telephone.  The number to call is 0845 603 1510 and it is a lo-call number which means that calls are charged to you at local rates.
Voice prompts will guide you through from entering your account reference number to authorising your card payment.  Touch Tone is available 24 hours a day.
 

What can I pay by Touch Tone?

You can pay for Council Tax, Car Park Fines, Housing Rents, Business Rates, Mortgages and Invoices.
 

Which cards do you accept?

You can pay by Maestro, Solo, Visa, MasterCard, Visa Electron and Delta.
We do not accept Diners Card and American Express.
 

What information do I need to complete the payment?

You need to have your Account Reference Number together with your credit or debit card details, you will also be prompted to enter the amount you are paying.
 

When will my payment be processed?

Payments can be made at anytime.  The processing to the account to be paid will only occur Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).  All payments made by 3.00pm will show on the account on the next working day. Any payments after 3.00pm will be included in the next days payments.
The processing to your card issuer will occur Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) the same day if paid by 3.00pm or the next day if after 3.00pm.
 

What if I have a problem whilst I am entering my details?

Don't worry.  If the system detects that you have encountered a problem using Touch Tone your call will be transferred to the Town Hall Customer Services for assistance during office hours only.
 

What if my card is refused?

Cards are not refused by Barrow Borough Council - they are refused by your bank.  There are many reasons why this may happen and we suggest you contact your bank directly.
 

Payment hotline

If you want to pay by debit or credit card and would like to speak to an operator please call the Town Hall Customer Services on (01229) 876390.  You will need to have the account reference number and your debit/credit card to hand when calling.  This service is available during the Town Hall office hours only.
 

Post:

Using a crossed cheque made out to Barrow Borough Council.
Post-dated cheques will not be accepted.  Please note your account reference on the reverse of the cheque or include your bill, which will be receipted and returned to you.
Post your payment to:
 
Borough Treasurer's Department,
Barrow Borough Council,
Town Hall,
Duke Street,
Barrow-in-Furness,
Cumbria LA14 2LD.
 
(Please do not enclose cash.  The Council does not take responsibility for any losses of cash sent through the post).
 

allpay.net:

The Council's bills are barcoded for immediate use at any:
  • Post Office® by cash, cheque or debit card
  • PayPoint using cash.
 

In Person:

Payment in person is available for particular services only.  Cash is no longer accepted at the Town Hall.  You can pay by debit/credit card, or by cheque.
 
Payments for planning applications can be made at the Planning Counter, open Monday to Thursday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm and Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
 
Payments for licence applications, bulky household waste collections, littering and other environmental fines can be made at Customer Services, open Monday to Thursday 9:00 am to 4:30 pm and Friday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
 
Please ask for a receipt when paying.
 
Any enquiries can be emailed to: financialservices@barrowbc.gov.uk, or by telephone: 01229 876434.
 



Barrow Borough Council, Town Hall, Duke Street, Barrow-In-Furness, Cumbria, LA14 2LD, U.K.

Borough Treasurer's Department: Tel: 01229 876434 | Fax: 01229 876445 | financialservices@barrowbc.gov.uk |
Copyright 2008 Barrow Borough Council
Last Updated 1/14/2010