News

Surrey Heath awarded top spot in challenge to enhance Direct Debit take up

Released on 23 July 2010

Surrey Heath Borough Council has reached pole position in a Bacs Direct Debit league table after securing an additional 1,000 direct debit customers in the past year, and in doing so has won a £1,000 prize.

Launched in 2008, the Bacs Direct Debit Challenge recognises local authorities' achievements in delivering best practice and improvements to payment efficiency and convenience for customers.

Surrey Heath earned its place having launched a new marketing approach to promote Direct Debit to its 34,000 council tax payers, which resulted in direct debit payments rising 2% on the previous year to hit 70.9%.

To enhance Direct Debit take up rates and provide environmental, cost and time savings, a new strategy of providing a simple one page bill with Direct Debit information was introduced. Previously the council would print and send payment booklets to customers not already a Direct Debit payer at the time of the annual billing.

Head of Customer Relations, Richard Payne said: "Surrey Heath Borough Council appreciates that paying a bill is not the highlight of anyone's month, but the system of direct debit has many benefits for the council and customers, offering an easy, convenient and cost-efficient payment method.

"We're delighted to have come top in our division of the Bacs league and to have won £1,000, awarded to a charity of our choice, which will be passed on to the Mayor of Surrey Heath's charity, supporting a number of local good causes."

To find out more about paying council tax via Direct Debit, visit www.surreyheath.gov.uk/advicebenefits