Moray Council has provided an update on its ability to collect direct debits from customers.
Last week the local authority let residents know there was a technical issue with collecting direct debits affecting council tax instalment payments as well as Fitlife! memberships, industrial lease payments and community care payments.
While services were not affected during this time and customers can still continue to use their membership/facilities, there is a period of disruption to around 5,000 Council Tax payers this week.
Council Taxpayers affected are being written to this week with details of how this problem is impacting their direct debit.
The uncollected sum will be spread over the remaining instalment dates which are available in this financial year.
This will result in their instalments increasing but it will ensure that Council Tax accounts will still be paid in full by 31 March 2024.
A new Council Tax bill showing the amended instalments will also be issued to those affected.
Alternatively, if customers want to continue to pay the current amount of their instalment this can be arranged. Anyone wishing to discuss this further should phone 01343 563 456.
Moray Council’s Chief Financial Officer, Lorraine Paisey, said:
“We apologise for the inconvenience this causes customers and our team is working closely with engineers to have the problem fixed as soon as possible.
“We expect that to be the end of the week but will update with any further information if that changes.
“Meantime, staff are working hard to issue correspondence to those affected directly so they know as soon as possible what their new payment will be.
“I’d encourage anyone concerned about this change to phone the Taxation Support Team on the numbers provided as soon as possible to discuss alternative options.”
