Leeds City Council has just over 60 per cent of customers with a liability for council tax paying by direct debit. 96.6 per cent of payments are automated.
The council has undertaken a number of measures to achieve this position. It has closed its network of 33 cash offices. The council has offered the public a number of alternative payment facilities instead. It has encouraged more people to sign up for direct debit by donating £5 towards the Council's literacy fund - an important council priority. The initiatives have been repeated in the housing department leading to a 21 per cent increase in direct debit transactions.
Front line staff based at a corporate contact centre encourage DD take-up. The council received very few complaints by making the changes, which took careful planning and around two years to complete.
For further information on this initiative contact Peter Hutchinson on peter.hutchinson@leeds.gov.uk or see the Leeds City Council website.