Invoices and debt recovery policy

Invoices are raised for income to be paid to the authority at the request of service departments.

Council departments raise invoices promptly after the service has been provided. This is to maximise the council's cashflow. For VAT purposes they should be raised within two months of the date of the service being provided. Invoices can be raised up to the statutory limit of six years from the date that the service was provided. If an invoice is very late it should include a letter of explanation from the original officer.

Invoices are not made for amounts of less than £10, unless there are exceptional circumstances, as it is not cost effective.

Unpaid invoices go through an automatic recovery process of reminders and letters. They are then passed to the council's clerk and solicitor to start legal recovery.

In cases of hardship, arrangements can be made for payment of an invoice in instalments. Instalment plans for a period of more than six months may be agreed in certain circumstances. They will only be authorised once the customer has completed and returned an application form.

We publish the ways to make payment on the back of all invoices and on the website. We can provide invoices in a larger format if required.

For more information call 01483 505050.