Hackney,
28
November
2016
|
09:25
Europe/London

Changes to Council’s Cashiers Service from December

cashiersoffice4.jpg

The Council will be changing its Cashiers Service on 23 December, responding to a growing need to make services more convenient while saving the Council money.

From 5pm on 23 December, Hackney residents will no longer be able to use the payment counters in Hackney’s Cashiers Office, at 2 Hillman Street, to pay by cash or cheque for Council services.

The number of people using the Cashiers counters has declined with a growing number of Hackney residents choosing to manage and pay for Council services online, either by setting-up direct debit instalments or by using the Council’s One Account. This follows a national trend, with more people choosing online to use services and shop while also paying by card instead of cash for ease and convenience.

Councillor Geoff Taylor, Cabinet Member for Finance and Customer Services
The number of people using the Cashier’s payment counters is falling all the time as more residents choose other, easier ways to pay and manage services they receive from the Council. More people than ever are moving online to shop and use day-to-day services while also paying by card, not because they are forced to, but because it is a lot more convenient. We know that for some people using other ways to pay can be a challenge, but they shouldn’t worry. Council staff will help residents use the web, pay by direct debit instalments or use the self-service machines at the Cashiers Office. We are adapting our customer services to move with the times while also helping to save money with £30 million of cuts expected from Central Government over the next four years.
Councillor Geoff Taylor, Cabinet Member for Finance and Customer Services

There will be a number of self-service machines in the Cashiers Office that residents can use which accept cash, debit or credit cards. Council staff will be available to help use the machines. Staff will also help residents register for online Council services and set-up direct debit instalments in the Hackney Service Centre, at 1 Hillman Street.

Council services and the different ways that residents can pay for them can be seen below:

  • Council tax - Direct debit (set-up online or phone), self-service machines (that accept cash, card), the bank and Allpay
  • Housing rent - Direct debit (set-up online or phone), self-service machines (that accept cash, card), Allpay•
  • Business rates - Direct debit (set-up online or phone), self-service machines (that accept cash, card), the bank and Allpay
  • Leaseholder charges - Direct debit (set-up online or phone), self-service machines (that accept cash, card) and the bank
  • Housing Benefit (including overpayments) - Direct debit (set-up online or phone), self-service machines (that accept cash, card) and Allpay if a plastic payment card has been arranged
  • Parking fines – Online via the parking website, post, phone
  • Parking permits – Online via the parking website, post
  • Parking visitor vouchers - Online via the parking website, post

The move to online and self-service machines will contribute towards £30 million of savings the Council needs to make over the next four years. Each time a resident makes contact with the Council face-to-face, it costs over £8. This is compared to 35p each time a resident pays for a Council service online and 17p per direct debit instalment.

The only services not available from the Cashiers Office are for parking permits, visitor vouchers and fines. Customers requesting parking visitor vouchers are strongly advised to purchase them at least two weeks in advance of any visits or have a number of vouchers saved for any unplanned visits.

Residents can also pay for Council services with ‘All Pay’ which is available at post offices and other shops which have the ‘All Pay’ logo.

The Council has also launched the One Account, which is a free, quick and simple way for residents to use, pay for and manage a host of Council services online. Find out more about the One Account and register for the service.

Residents can apply and pay for parking vouchers and permits:

  • Online: The quickest, easiest and fastest way to apply for permits and vouchers. Your order will be delivered within three working days.
  • By post: You can complete an application form, and send it – together with any supporting documents and a cheque or postal order – to Parking Services, PO Box 39054, E8 1WS. Do not send cash by post. Your order will be processed within 10 working days.

Residents can also pay for parking penalty charge notices:

  • Online: you can review evidence of your PCN, and pay or dispute it.
  • By post: Complete the payment slip attached to the PCN, enclose a cheque or postal order payable to 'London Borough of Hackney' and send to London Borough of Hackney, P.O. Box 39055, London E8 1WT.
  • By phone: Call the automated payment line: for PCNs starting QZ dial 020 8629 1232. For PCNs starting HK or HQ ring 020 8356 5050.

There is a Cashiers Office question and answer document in the download section of this page.