Barcoded Bills and Invoices

Many Council bills and invoices can now be paid by Direct Debit. If you have a Bank or Building Society current account this is often the easiest way to pay. Some services may also offer payment by Standing Order as an alternative. For details of which bills can be paid by Direct Debit and to how to set one up please see our Direct Debit page.

Unfortunately not. All payments need the barcode to ensure your payment gets to your account and outlets will be unable to process your payment without it.

If you are uncertain about how much you should be paying, or have any other questions about your new barcoded bill or invoice, please contact the Council on:-

Telephone: 01509 634545
E-mail: information@charnwood.gov.uk
In person: Customer Service Centre
Charnwood Borough Council
Southfield Road
Loughborough
LE11 2TX

Or for Charnwood Neighbourhood Housing enquiries:

Telephone: 0800 6335548
E-mail: housing.income@cnh.org.uk
In person: Customer Service Centre
Charnwood Borough Council
Southfield Road
Loughborough
LE11 2TX

There are 3 simple steps to follow:

1. Take your bill or invoice to any Post Office or PayPoint outlet, along with your payment.
2. Hand it to the assistant for them to scan the barcode and then give them your payment, stating how much you want to pay. (Please note that the assistant will not have access to any information about your account or how much you have to pay).
3. Once your payment has been processed they will give you your bill back, along with a receipt. Please keep your receipts in a safe place to help you keep track of your payments.

If you pay by cheque or debit card you should retain your receipt until the payment shows as paid on your bank statement. If you pay by cash we recommend you keep your receipt until you next confirm your balance, or until your next bill arrives, or for 12 months, whichever is soonest.

Payments will usually take two working days to reach your account (i.e. excluding Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays), so please make sure you pay in good time, before your Council Tax, Business Rates, Rent or invoice is due.

The barcoded bills and invoices utilise the allpay.net payments network. Allpay.net is the UK’s only dedicated payment solution specialist, providing bill payment solutions to over 750 Public Sector organisations and handling over 30 million transactions a year, largely through their partner networks PayPoint and the Post Office. There are over 13000 Post Offices and 19000 PayPoint outlets accepting these payments across the UK.

If you ever have any queries about your balance or payments simply telephone the Council on 01509 634545 or e-mail us at information@charnwood.gov.uk . For Charnwood Neighbourhood Housing enquiries please call 0800 6335548 or e-mail housing.income@cnh.org.uk

Banks and Post Offices often charge bill payers an administration fee for accepting payments made using a payment book or giro credit. When paying with barcoded bills there will be no charge for customers paying by Cash, Cheque or Debit Card at Post Offices and no charge for paying by Cash at PayPoint outlets. Barcoded bills also generally offer a wider choice of payment locations and opening times.

Simply contact us and we will arrange for a replacement to be sent.

Most Post Offices are open 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday and often on Saturday mornings as well. Many of the PayPoint shops are open from early in the morning to late in the evening plus at weekends and on bank holidays, so you will be able to pay at a time and place that suits you.

For specific PayPoint outlet opening hours please search on www.allpay.net/outlets and for specific Post Office opening hours please search on www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/finder?catid=20700386

From 1st May 2009 the Council will no longer accept cash payments at the Council offices. The new system is being introduced now to give customers the opportunity to get used to paying this way before the Cashier desk finally closes.

You can pay with your barcoded bill or invoice at any Post Office or PayPoint outlet in the country. See “Where Can I Pay” for a detailed list of over 50 places to pay in the Borough, or go to www.allpay.net/outlets where you can search by postcode for a list of outlets in a particular area elsewhere in the UK.

Payments at the Cashier desk have reduced significantly in recent years, falling by over 50,000 transactions (35%) in the last 4 years. This has corresponded with the public in general demanding greater choice and freedom to make payments at a time and in a place and way that suits them and their lifestyle. By introducing barcoded bills we aim to make it easier and more convenient for customers to pay, by offering them over 50 places locally across the Borough where they can pay.

Cash payments can be made for FREE at all PayPoint outlets (some may also accept debit cards, but may charge you for this), while at Post Offices you can pay by cash, cheque or debit card for FREE.