When will I get my bill?
You will normally receive your bill in April. It will tell you the amount you have to pay in the coming year and how the council has worked out that amount. If you choose to pay by instalment, the bill will show the amount of each instalment and the dates on which you should pay each one.
When to pay
Rates are payable by 10 instalments (Local Government (Scotland) Act 1975 Sec. 8). The rating authority is also prepared to accept payment by 2 instalments. Any person liable to pay rates for a year who has not after the expiry of 6 months (i.e. 30th September) paid an amount equal at least to the sum of 4 monthly instalments, is liable to pay the rates in full for the year or, as the case may be, the balance of the year forthwith.
Statutory Addition for Non-Payment
In terms of Section 247 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1947 a statutory addition of 10% on rates outstanding will be charged after the necessary legal steps have been taken.
How to pay
The Demand Notice offers one method of payment based on your previous payment history (where applicable). Alternatively, rates are payable by the following methods: -
- Over 10 months, May to February - Direct Debit, Standing Order or by Post
- 2 Instalments, June and December
The relevance of the following information will depend on the nature of your preferred method of payment: -
- Personal Payment can be made at any of the Council's Offices or at any bank.
- By Post - Payments should be addressed to the Director of Corporate services as indicated on your demand Notice..
- Cheques or Postal Orders should be crossed "A/C Payee only" and made payable to the Council as detailed on your Demand Notice. Only the Bank Giro Credit Slip need to be sent with cheques etc. unless a receipt is required in which case the complete Notice should be sent..
- Bank Giro Credit. Complete the form provided and present the entire Notice with payment to any bank..
- Cash or Postal Orders. The complete Notice should accompany payments..
- More Than One Notice. Please return the Bank Giro Credit Slip, which also acts as a Payment Advice for the Notices included in the payment..
- Payment by 2 Instalments. Please retain the Rates Notice after the first payment has been made, as it will be required for the payment of the 2nd instalment..
- Debit/Credit Card Payments at any of the Council Offices or Telephone (01389) 737454
*Note: Always quote or write down your Reference Number when making a payment and remember Counter Charges may be levied by Banks on transactions.
What if I don't pay?
Do not ignore your bill - If you do not pay it and do not agree, in writing, any other arrangement with the council, they can request you pay the entire amount in full. If you do not do this they can then instigate Summary Warrant procedures against you to recover the debt due which can, amongst other things, result in an additional 10 per cent being added to the amount due to cover administrative costs.
