Council deploys system for collecting overdue payments

A new system that will help Wokingham Borough Council to recover vital funds from Council Tax has gone live.

The council is now using a messaging system to contact residents who have fallen behind in paying instalments. Messages will now be sent via text, email and automated voice message – and earlier than a paper reminder would be – for a fraction of the cost.

From April 2023 to March 2024, the council sent out nearly 13,500 reminders via post relating to missed Council Tax instalments.

The method of contact will depend on what information the council holds for a particular resident. This will be done prior to sending out reminders by post or taking any further action to collect overdue payments and help to prevent individuals from paying any additional costs.

To help give residents confidence that the contact is coming from a genuine source, texts and emails will be addressed to them personally and they must click on a link to verify their account. Through pre-recorded voice messages, the council will first ensure it has contacted the right person. Once verified, the message will inform residents of their payment options and how to contact the council.

Reducing costs and recovering funds

Council Tax helps to fund public services, such as education, social care, waste collection and road maintenance. If residents do not pay on time, they may receive a reminder, a final notice or a summons.

Cllr Imogen Shepherd-DuBey, executive member for finance, said: “We are sympathetic to residents who are having difficulty keeping up with Council Tax payments, particularly in light of the cost-of-living crisis. If you are experiencing financial hardship, there are options available to help spread your payments and ease that pressure and we’d urge you to get in touch with us to discuss.

“Due to rising costs caused by inflation, an increase in demand for our services and the inadequate support from central government, we too are under significant pressure to achieve a balanced budget and protect frontline services. This new method for reminders will help us to save money and help us to recover significant funds to put towards those vital services.”

Wokingham Borough continues to receive the least funding from central government per resident of any unitary authority in the country – £48million per year less than if it was funded in the same way as the average unitary authority – at a time when residents need support the most. Even with the rise in Council Tax, the council still has to make savings of about £16.4 million next year.

Support available for residents

If you need help with debt owed to the council, a new advice session is running at Norreys Church in Wokingham. These are held on the first Friday of each month from 12 noon to 2.30pm and are free to attend (no booking required).

Sessions are aimed specifically at helping residents who have debts owed to the council and there is information about organisations that can help in this area, such as SHARE Wokingham, The Hardship Alliance and Citizens Advice Wokingham. You can find out more and book a place online.

The council has partnered with a company called Payment Plan to offer residents a more convenient and affordable payment method. People can choose how much to repay and over what period of time. In certain unforeseen circumstances, residents can apply for a reduction in your Council Tax if they are experiencing financial hardship.

There are also Council Tax discounts available for certain qualifying residents, including residents with disabilities, older people, carers, students and more.

How to sign up for e-billing

Residents are encouraged to sign up for e-billing online, which is more convenient as it allows them to view their account at any time. It also saves the council money on sending out paper bills. It is faster to pay online, by phone or by direct debit and it is easy to sign up for an account.

Select ‘register/sign into your account’ on the webpage to begin the process. Residents will need their Council Tax number and email address in order to register.