Sandwell Council is promoting post offices as council bill payment stations for people who prefer to use cash or don’t have online access.
Residents wanting to make cash payments have previously been able to use council cashier services at a variety of locations around the borough.
However, these all shut down during the coronavirus lockdown and will remain closed until further notice:
Cabinet Member for Resources Councillor Wasim Ali, said: “Post Office Counters have always been available for council bill payments but I’m not sure everyone knows that.
“Despite trying to publicise the closures, we still see people coming along to council buildings only to find they’re closed.
“So the council has got together with our local post office network to promote this to residents – to make it easier for those who prefer to deal in cash.
“I’d like to thank Post Office Counters for working with us on this so willingly – it’s been really helpful.
“In fact they’re also now displaying our posters with safety messages to try to stop the current surge in COVID cases – we’ve got a good partnership going.”
Nick Carroll, Post Office Regional Manager for the Midlands, said: “We’re delighted to be able to support Sandwell Council and help their residents pay their council tax or rent in cash at any of our 42 branches in the area.
“We know that many people already use their local Post Office for paying their bills such as for gas or electricity. Our branches offer a convenient, secure and friendly service which customers rely on.”
Ideally the council would advise people, if they possibly can, to do as much council business online, using a My Sandwell account – sign up here:
http://www.sandwell.gov.uk/info/200206/website/3572/sign_up_for_your_mysandwell_account
All the information about how to pay council bills is available on the Sandwell Council website at
http://www.sandwell.gov.uk/paybills
People can also pay over the phone by calling 0300 456 0514.