We have alternative payment methods
Online Payment Information| Pay Now Online.
The other payment methods available are:
Direct Debit| Standing Order| Payment Hotline| Post| In Person.
You can pay for:
- Council Tax
- Housing Rents & Service Charges
- Invoices
- Car Park Fines
- Car Parking Contracts
- Business Rates
- Benefit Overpayments
- Other Fines
Please refer to the payment method information below to find out which payment methods are available for the payment you are making.
Direct Debit
What can I pay by Direct Debit?
You can pay for Council Tax, Housing Rents and Service Charges, Business Rates and Car Parking Contracts.
Why should I pay by Direct Debit?
Paying by Direct Debit is the simplest and easiest way to pay.
Here is why:
- You remain in control.
- You have a money-back guarantee.
- You only sign one form and your Bank or Building Society does the rest.
- You can forget queues, cheques and stamps saving time and money.
- It is a lot safer than cash.
Remember that Direct Debits are automated, not automatic. So if you have a query, you have time to check anything you don't understand or agree with, and under the rules of the Direct Debit guarantee any payment that breaks the terms of your instruction will be refunded immediately to your account.
Where can I get a Direct Debit instruction?
You can make an on-line Council Tax application or download a Council Tax Mandate. You can make an on-line NNDR application or download an NNDR Mandate Forms should be returned to Westmorland and Furness Council, Town Hall, Duke Street, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. LA14 2LD. Alternatively call 01229 404242.
For Car Parking Contracts you can complete the mandate that is sent to you when you apply for your permit and return it to Parking Services as instructed.
For Housing Rents and Service Charges you can pick up a form from the Housing Department, Town Hall, Duke Street, Barrow-in-Furness, call 01229 876478 or download a mandate.
When will my payment be processed?
For Council Tax you can choose from 3 different payment dates: 1st of the month, 16th of the month or 28th of the month. For Business Rates you can choose from 2 different payment dates: 1st of the month or the 16th of the month. The payment will be collected from your account on your chosen monthly payment date or the next working day if the date falls on a weekend or bank holiday. The payment appears on your account on the same day that it is collected.
For Car Parking Contracts payments are collected on the 1st of the month or the next working day if the 1st falls on a weekend or bank holiday. You can choose to pay monthly, quarterly, half yearly or annually from January each year. The payment appears on your account on the same day that it is collected.
For Housing Rents and Service Charges, we now offer the following payment schedules: 2 weekly (Thursdays), 4 weekly (Thursdays) or monthly on any day of the month.
Can I cancel a Direct Debit instruction?
Yes. Instructions can be cancelled by writing to your Bank or Building Society. Please send a copy of the cancellation to the Council.
What happens if a mistake is made?
If the Council or your Bank or Building Society makes an error, you are guaranteed a full and immediate refund from your Bank or Building Society of the amount paid.
Does signing a Direct Debit instruction mean that the Council can take money out of my account as they like?
No. The Council can collect only the authorised amount. If this or the date of collection changes we will tell you at least 10 working days in advance so that you have time to query the bill. For Housing Rents and Service Charges, you will be informed 5 working days in advance.
What sort of account do I need to use Direct Debits?
For Council Tax Housing Rents and Business Rates most current accounts at Banks and Building Societies can be used to make Direct Debit payments. Some special deposit accounts now allow them too just ask your branch.
For Car Parking Contracts only Bank accounts can currently be used to make Direct Debit payments.
Can any organisation collect money by Direct Debit?
No. Banks and Building Societies only permit organisations with known integrity and sound financial and administrative capabilities to collect money by Direct Debit.
You can get more information about Direct Debit.
Standing Order
What can I pay by Standing order?
You can pay for Council Tax, Housing Rents, Invoices and Business Rates.
Where can I get a Standing order form?
For Council Tax and Business Rates you can obtain forms and details from Customer Services, Town Hall, Duke Street, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 2LD - (01229) 404242.
For Housing Rents you can obtain forms and details from the Housing Department, Town Hall, Duke Street, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 2LD - (01229) 876488.
For Invoices you can obtain forms and details from the Finance Department - (01229) 876448.
Once you have completed the form you will need to send it to your bank or building society.
When will my payment be processed?
Please note that it may take 6-10 days for payments to be matched to your account using this method of payment.
Can I amend a Standing order instruction?
Yes. If you just need to amend the value of your standing order you can do this by writing to your Bank or Building Society, you do not need to cancel the original standing order you can amend it.
Can I cancel a Standing order instruction?
Yes. Instructions can be cancelled by writing to your Bank or Building Society. Please send a copy of the cancellation to the Council.
Payment Hotline
If you want to pay by debit or credit card you will need to have your account reference number and card details to hand when calling. If you would like to speak to an operator please call Town Hall Customer Services on (01229) 876543. This service is available during the Town Hall office hours only.
A 24-hour automated payment service is available by calling 0845 603 1510. Please Note, calls to this number cost 7p per minute plus your telephone company's network access charge.
Post
Using a crossed cheque made out to Westmorland and Furness Council.
Post-dated cheques will not be accepted. Please note your account reference on the reverse of the cheque or include your bill, which will be receipted and returned to you.
Post your payment to:
Finance Department,
Westmorland and Furness Council,
Town Hall,
Duke Street,
Barrow-in-Furness,
Cumbria LA14 2LD.
(Please do not enclose cash. The Council does not take responsibility for any losses of cash sent through the post).
In Person
Payment in person is available for particular services only. Cash is no longer accepted at the Town Hall. You can pay by debit/credit card, or by cheque.
Payments for licence applications, bulky household waste collections, littering and other environmental fines can be made at Customer Services which is open Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Please ask for a receipt when paying.
Any enquiries can be emailed to: financialservices@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk, or by telephone: 01229 876543.