Finance and Asset Management Service

PAYMENTS

The council have a suite of alternative payment methods which should provide suitable options to customers.

Direct Debit – Available for Council Tax and Non Domestic Rates
This is by far the easiest way to pay - you avoid queues, cheques, postal orders, postage and visits to Council offices etc. We do all the work and tell you in advance the amount to be paid. In the extremely rare event of anything going wrong, you are assured of an immediate refund from your own bank. Direct Debit is the most efficient and cost-effective way to pay and is the method preferred by Audit Scotland because of accuracy, lower costs and safeguards to the public.

Council Tax payers can pay by direct debit on the 1st, 15th or the 28th of the month. You do not need to take any action if you currently pay by direct debit - your payments will automatically be made on the agreed date.

Non-Domestic ratepayers can pay by direct debit on the 7th of the month.

To pay by direct debit, complete the form enclosed with your bill or call us on 01563 554400.

Personal Payment at your Local Council Office
If you cannot pay by Direct Debit and you prefer to pay in person you can make your payments at your local Council office. There is no charge for this and your payment will reach your account quickly. In addition staff at local offices can deal with queries about bills, payments and rebates.

By Internet
You can pay free of charge by Switch or Debit Card. If paying by Credit Card, a surcharge of 1.95% will apply.
Make an online payment

Payment by Telephone (automated 24 hour service)
Call us on 01563 574057 at any time. You can pay free of charge by Switch or Debit Card. If paying by Credit Card, a surcharge of 1.95%will apply.

Payment Card
You can use the Payment Card at local Council offices. You cannot use your Payment Card at a bank, building society or post office. However, if you live in an area where there is no local Council office and the local post office is the only place where you can pay, we can issue you with a ‘Special Payment Card’ – call our Payment Card Advice Line on 01563 554400 for more information. Payment Cards do not detail the amount of your instalments - it is your responsibility to ensure that the correct monthly amount, as shown on your Council Tax bill, is paid by the 1st of each month.

Payment at Post Office
You will only be able to pay your Council Tax at a post office if you live in an area where there is no local Council office. If you would like more information or wish to apply for a Special Payment Card‚ call our Payment Card Advice Line on 01563 554400. If you do not qualify for a Special Payment Card and you choose to pay at a Post Office, cheques or postal orders should be crossed A/C Payee Only and made payable to Post Office Counters plc. Payment in cash can also be made. Please note that it can often take up to 14 days for Post Office payments to reach us and you may receive a non-payment Reminder even if you have paid by the due date.

By Post
Cheques or postal orders should be crossed "A/C Payee Only" and made payable to "East Ayrshire Council". Payment should be sent to the Executive Head of Finance and Asset Management, East Ayrshire Council, P.O. Box 7400 , Kilmarnock , KA1 1LZ . You must enclose your full name, address, year of payment and reference number. You should also write your reference number on the back of your cheque or postal order. You do not need to enclose your Payment Card provided you give us this information.

Standing Order
Although Council Tax can be paid by standing order, it is your responsibility to do all the work. You have to complete a new mandate every time the amount changes and you have to notify your bank. You must also tell your bank to use the new year’s reference number - otherwise your Council Tax account will not be credited. You also need to pay on the 1st of each month. You can easily change to Direct Debit and pay on the 1st, 15th or the 28th of each month.

Standing Orders can be set up for various funds. Please phone the following numbers to obtain a form:

Bank Giro Credit
Complete the relevant form attached to the bill and present the entire notice to any bank.

Girobank
Girobank account holders should complete the Girobank Transcash Advice and send it to Girobank in one of their special envelopes.