Denbighshire council now has over 22,200 out of 36,000 liable households paying their council tax by direct debit - nearly 62 per cent. This has improved from 45 per cent three years ago. It has won BACs awards for the last two years.
The council demonstrates strong performance monitoring including weekly performance information which is provided to all staff. The council philosophy is to use DD as a tool to help recovering debt - for example by withdrawing a final notice, if the tax payer agrees to sign up for direct debit.
The council has four DD dates a month and has seen a significant reduction in associated debt recovery activity as DD rates have risen. For example, each year the council is dealing with: over 25,000 less phone calls; 10,000 less letters and over 5,000 fewer summonses.
For further information on this initiative contact Ken A Jones on ken.a.jones@denbighshire.gov.uk or see the Denbighshire County Council website