‘Pay by direct debit’ alert by Sefton so rebates can go out

RESIDENTS in Sefton are being urged to sign up for direct debit payments for their council tax amid confusion over the Government’s planned energy rebate.

Earlier this month, the Government announced support to help households with rising energy bills including a one-off £150 energy rebate payment to council tax-payers in bands A-D.

At a council meeting shortly after the measures were announced, officers spoke of confusion and a “lack of clarity” as to how the money was to be handed out.

Executive director of corporate resources and customer services Stephen Van Arendsen told councillors that it seemed likely that payments would be more straightforward for those who pay council tax by direct debit as the council would have their bank details to process the rebate.

Sefton Council, alongside others across the country, have now urged residents to provide their bank details by setting up a direct debit payment for council tax payments to ensure that rebate can be promptly paid.

A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: “Sefton Council’s finance team is reminding the borough’s residents that it’s not too late to sign up to pay their council tax bills by direct debit.

“As well as making it easier to pay their bills, the team thinks it will mean people will receive the Government’s £150 energy rebate payment sooner and directly to their bank accounts.”

Sefton Council’s cabinet member for regulatory compliance and corporate services, Cllr Paulette Lappin, confirmed the Government “has not yet given detailed guidance” to councils on the issue.

Cllr Lappin said: “We understand that eligible households in bands A to D that pay their council tax by direct debit may receive their payments first, directly into their bank accounts.

‘‘To sign up for direct debit payments, all people need to do is visit https://forms.sefton. gov.uk/ddcounciltax and fill in the form. They just need their council tax account reference to hand.”

When the Government’s full guidance for the council tax energy rebate scheme is released, the council said it will provide an update to residents on its website.