New ways to talk to your council

Getting in touch with the Vale of Glamorgan Council is set to become even easier as we expand the way residents can access our information and services.

As area cash offices in Cowbridge, Llantwit Major and Penarth close on 5 March, the council has re-evaluated the ways that its residents can get in touch, with an emphasis on retaining face-to-face contact.

Following a successful pilot at Cowbridge Library between July and December 2009, the council is now set to develop its extended information service. It will now be made permanent and expanded to include Llantwit Majorand Penarth libraries, with the remaining Vale libraries following over the course of the year.

The changes are being introduced as part of the council’s ‘OneVale’ programme, which aims to improve access to services and the efficiency of how services are delivered.

Services to be offered at libraries include:
* information on all council services
* refuse and recycling bags and boxes
* recycling and refuse collection calendars
* missed refuse and recycling reports
* job application packs
* Telecare application packs.

Residents will still have the convenience of being able to pay their bills at a range of outlets throughout the Vale. Over 80 outlets offer Post Office, PayPoint or Payzone facilities and residents can pay wherever the PayPoint or Payzone sign is displayed.

To make a payment you’ll need to remember to take along your council payment card or barcoded bill. If you don’t have a council tax or rent payment card you can call our contact centre, Contact OneVale, on 01446 700111 to request one. Details of your nearest payment location are available on our website or by calling Contact OneVale.

If you choose to make a payment from the comfort of your own home then we have a number of ways for you to do so. The council has now expanded its range of services and information available through its website, which offers the ability to pay online instantly or through setting up a Direct Debit for council tax and business rates.

You can also call Contact OneVale to make payments. Just call 01446 700111, Monday to Friday. If you want to speak to a member of our staff please call between 8am – 6pm.

You will find that our telephone lines are less busy after 12:00 and on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Otherwise, you can use our automated payment service 24 hours a day.

And remember that you can still pay by cheque via the post. Cheques should have your bill number written on the back, be made out to ‘The Vale of Glamorgan Council’ and crossed.

Please send cheques to: Director of Finance, Vale of Glamorgan Council, Civic Offices, Holton Road, Barry, CF63 4RU

For more information on the new services please call Contact OneVale on 01446 700111

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