Council makes online billing and self-service available to local people
The Vale of Glamorgan Council, with the help of Capita’s software services business, is now offering its residents and local businesses the facility to access council tax, benefits and business rates accounts in the same place on-line, making it much simpler and convenient to pay bills and manage accounts.
Local citizens can opt to receive e-bills rather than paper bills, cutting down on paper waste and streamlining local services. They can also now provide details of a change of address online, simplifying the process for citizens and council staff alike as it only has to be entered once and it will be sent to each relevant council department.
Head of finance, Clive Teague, who has already signed up to e-billing himself, said: “The system is easy to use and if you want to reduce the number of paper bills that drop through your letterbox, I heartily recommend it. I can see it will be particularly useful for those who own business premises and of course reducing our reliance on paper bills not only cuts costs but helps the environment.”
Paul Millard, operations director for Capita revenues and benefits, said: “Increasing website functionality is a great way to make services more accessible to citizens, while reducing administration costs for the council. It costs an average of 15 pence to process each online query compared to £2.85 per phone call. The citizens of Vale of Glamorgan will quickly realise the advantages of accessing and managing their local services via the web and the Council will reap the financial savings gained by implementing self service. It’s a beneficial solution for everyone involved.”
It is simple to sign up for e-billing and self service and citizens can do so by visiting the council website and clicking on e-Citizen. They will need their council tax, benefits or business rates reference number and once signed up they will receive a secure pin number, which can be used on the website to view their council-related services.
Log on to the council website at www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk