General invoices

• What is a general invoice?
• How do I pay a general invoice?
• What should I do if I am experiencing financial difficulties?
• Can I pay by instalments?
• I have a dispute about the invoice I have received. What should I do?
• Can someone call me back about my invoice?
• Why have you sent me a reminder?
• Can I get a copy of the invoice?
• Why have I received a credit note?
• I have overpaid my invoice. How can I get my money back?

For more information contact:

What is a general invoice?

All general invoice numbers begin 75. General invoices are miscellaneous invoices issued for a wide variety of council services such as:

• Building inspection fees
• Care phones
• Drainage
• Education student awards
• Highways
• Hire of football pitches
• Home care
• Market rents
• Nursery fees
• Pest control
• Planning applications
• Respite care
• Trade waste
• Translation fees

In addition to this, invoices are also sent when there has been an overpayment, for example:

• Overpayment of salaries
• Grant awards

Details of how to pay are printed on the back of every invoice. Invoices must be paid by the due date shown.

The council will take steps to recover unpaid invoices.

If you think your invoice is wrong you should contact the department that issued the invoice - contact details are shown at the top right of your invoice.

How do I pay a general invoice?

The council offers the following methods for you to pay general invoices:

• This website
  You are now able to pay general invoices on the Kirklees Council website, using a debit or credit card at www.kirklees.gov.uk/payments
• Direct Debit
  If you receive a regular invoice from us you may be able to pay by Direct Debit. Payments can be made directly from your bank or building society account. Please contact the telephone number shown on your invoice in order to arrange payment details and obtain a direct debit mandate.
• Post Office
  Payments may be made by debit card, cash or cheque (payable to Post Office Limited) at any Post Office. This service is free. Please take your invoice to the cashier along with your payment - the invoice contains a barcode which is scanned by the cashier.
• Internet and telephone banking
  You can pay your invoice via your bank by quoting the following:
  • Sort Code: 08-90-00
  • Account Number: 61622948
  Please quote your invoice number as the transaction reference.
• Telephone Automated Payments Service
  If you have a push button telephone you can use our automated payments service and make your payment by debit or credit card, this facility is available 24 hours a day on 01484 414818.
• Payzone
  You can make a cash or debit card payment at any Payzone outlet. Please take your invoice with you.
• Paypoint
  You can make a cash or debit card payment at any Paypoint outlet. Please take your invoice with you.
• At your local Library and Information Centre
  You can pay your invoice in person using a cheque or debit/credit card at the following libraries, information points and Library and Information Centres (LICs).
  Cash payments are not accepted (with the exception of Birstall).
  
  • Birkby Fartown
  • Birstall (cash payment kiosk available)
  • Chestnut Centre, Deighton
  • Heckmondwike
  • Holmfirth
  • Lindley
  • Meltham
  • Mirfield
  • Rawthorpe/Dalton
  • Skelmanthorpe
  • Thornhill Lees
  
  Library and Information Centres (LICs)
• At your local Kirklees Council Cash Office
  You can pay your invoice using cash, cheque or debit/credit card at the following offices:
  • Cleckheaton Town Hall
  • Batley Town Hall
  • Dewsbury Town Hall
  All these offices are open Monday to Friday, from 9am until 5pm.
• By post
  Cheques should be made payable to Kirklees Council and sent to:
  LIC Finance Business Support Unit
  P.O. Box A4
  Civic Centre 1
  Huddersfield
  HD1 2NF

Please write your name, address and invoice reference number on the back of the cheque (this begins with '75' and can be found at the top of your invoice).

Please note: If you are paying more than one invoice with a single cheque, please write clearly the amounts to be paid against each invoice number on the back of the cheque.

Do not send cash via the post as the council will not accept liability for lost or stolen monies.

What should I do if I am experiencing financial difficulties?

If you have problems paying your invoice please tell us immediately so we can give you help and advice on suitable instalment arrangements and other payment options. This may involve the completion of an income and expenditure form, which will be sent once your personal circumstances have been considered. Contact details are shown at the top right of your invoice.

Free debt advice can be obtained from your local Citizens Advice Bureau or from National Debtline on 0808 808 4000.

Can I pay by instalments?

If you are experiencing genuine hardship and you are having difficulties paying, it might be possible to arrange for payment by instalments. If this is the case you should make contact with the service that sent the invoice as soon as possible. Contact details are shown at the top right of your invoice.

I have a dispute about the invoice I have received. What should I do?

If you feel that the invoice you have received is not correct, please contact us immediately. The details of who to contact are shown on your invoice. Your dispute will be investigated.

You can send information about the dispute using this online form

Can someone call me back about my invoice?

Please fill in this form to request a call back.

Why have you sent me a reminder?

If an invoice is not paid by the due date we will send you a reminder or we may attempt to contact you by telephone. Further action will be taken if you fail to make payment. If we take further action against you to recover the monies due to us, you will be liable for additional court costs and fees.

Court Action explained

The council may issue a claim against you in the County Court for recovery of a debt. A County Court Judgement could then be obtained which may affect your credit rating.
The Judgement allows the council to take enforcement action against you such as:

1. a Warrant of Execution - where a County Court bailiff will visit your home to collect outstanding monies or levy on goods in lieu of payment;
2. an Attachment of Earnings Order - arranging for your employer to take the money direct from your earnings;
3. a Charging Order - this will stop you selling property or land that you own unless you pay your debt;
4. a Third Party Debt Order - ordering your bank or building society to pay the debt direct from your account; or
5. an Order to Attend for Questioning - you will have to give full details of your financial circumstances and details of assets under oath.

Can I get a copy of the invoice?

Use this online form to ask for a copy of your invoice, or contact the service on the front of your invoice.

Why have I received a credit note?

If an invoice has been issued incorrectly or you have been overcharged, a credit note is issued. If the credit adjustment results in you having overpaid your invoice, a refund can be obtained (see below).

I have overpaid my invoice. How can I get my money back?

If you believe you have overpaid an invoice please contact the service on the front of your invoice. Please make sure you have full details of payments made as this will need to be checked against our records. Refunds will only be issued in the name of the person stated on the invoice unless we have authorisation from them or their legal representative.