More than 100,000 Council Tax bills have been sent out to Swansea residents as the the Local Authority prepares to collect vital cash for services across the city and county.
As the bills drop through letter boxes the Local Authority is urging people to tap into easier ways to pay to make sure they do not fall into arrears.
Council Tax pays for vital services such as social services, education, bin collections and maintaining our streets and communities.
The Local Authority is hoping that by continuing to offer hi-tech options as well as maintaining traditional face-to-face payment methods people will be better able to ensure that they pay the tax on time.
Cllr Stuart Rice, Swansea Council Cabinet Member for Finance, said: “Council Tax makes an important contribution to paying for the vital services we all need such as education, bin collections, social services and maintaining our streets and communities.
“We always aim to make it as easy as possible for people to pay their Council Tax and we hope that by offering a range of payment methods people will be able to do that with minimum inconvenience.
“Those who face financial difficulties in paying should contact the Council on 01792 635382 sooner rather than later to come to a solution before they fall into arrears.
“But the message to those who are avoiding payment is that there is no hiding place. We will continue to pursue non-payers for as long as it takes.”
People can use the Swansea Council website at www.swansea.gov.uk to pay their Council Tax, Council house rent, parking penalty charges and business rates.
The easiest and most popular method of payment is by direct debit and, if you are not already paying this way, you can do so by ringing 01792 635382. Payment can also be made or using a debit or credit card by automated telephone payment on 0845 120 4324.
Traditional ways to pay still remain available. Residents can pay by cash, cheque, postal order, debit or credit card in person at the cash office at the Civic Centre Contact Centre, the Central Information Unit, Gorseinon or any of the Swansea District Housing Offices.
Payment can also be made at any post office or Payzone outlet using a payment card which can be obtained by calling 01792 635382.
It’s additionally possible to post cheque or postal order payments to the Finance Department at the Guildhall in Swansea.
Swansea Council’s Council Tax Benefit Take-Up team is also on hand to help those entitled to financial support to receive it.
Since April 2009 the Council Tax section has transferred 1,346 callers to the Benefit Take-Up team and 45 per cent of these callers have been told that they qualify for some money off.
In the last 10 months the Take-Up Team has helped 1,164 people in Swansea get help with their Council Tax and this has led to combined savings worth over £446,962.
Anyone wanting information or help to see if they can claim the benefit should contact the Take-Up Team on 01792 635885.
