With London post strikes ongoing and a national postal strike looming, Merton Council has this week asked residents to consider options other than the post when paying or contacting the council.
With post deliveries in London among the worst hit, the council is keen to make sure residents don’t get caught out by the current delays and is promoting the many different methods of getting in touch.
The council’s ‘Do it online’ section of its website at http://www.merton.gov.uk/doitonline can help residents report, pay, comment, book, find out and apply, including paying for your council tax, reporting neighbourhood issues, booking sports pitches or appointments and applying for licences. As well as saving money on postage this page could also help residents save time.
Use of the internet is free in all the borough’s libraries but if the internet is not always an option residents can pay also their council tax,
– By setting up a Direct Debit account – this can be done over the telephone on 020 8274 4904
– Over the phone by automated telephone service with credit or debit card 24 hours a day on 020 8545 3518
– By telephone and internet banking or BACs payment
– At your local Post Office where you can pay by cash, cheque or debit card
– At Pay zone and Pay point shops who take cash and debit cards
For residents looking at their longer term options Merton also offers its ‘My tax and benefits’ page which allows residents to hold an online account and view and manage their council tax account and any exemptions or benefit entitlements online at http://www.merton.gov.uk/mytaxandbenefits
Councillor Samantha George, Merton Council deputy leader said:
” In this time of ongoing strikes and postal delays Merton is keen to ensure residents don’t get caught out and so would ask they look at alternative ways to pay or contact the council.
” Post strikes aside we understand times are difficult and so would ask that if residents are having issues with payments that they get in touch. We will try and help where possible with alternative arrangements.”
If using alternative payment methods to normal please consider the time that processing may take, as, for example, you will need to allow seven days for payment to reach an account if paying at a post office. For further information on the different options please contact the council on 020 8274 4904.
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