PAY COUNCIL TAX BY DIRECT DEBIT AND WIN £25K

First Published by: The Observer

A £25,000 cash incentive is being offered to Brent and Harrow residents in a bid to get them to pay their Council Tax bills by Direct Debit.

Brent Council has announced the council tax prize draw, which is being offered in conjunction with BACS Payment Schemes Ltd, the not-for-profit organisation behind Direct Debit.

Brent and Harrow councils are among 17 local authorities taking part in the scheme, and only one person will win the draw. Households are starting to receive their council tax bills for 2012/13 this week. 

To be entered into the draw Brent residents must register to pay their council tax bill by Direct Debit before 5pm on July 12 this year.

Councillor Muhammed Butt, Brent Council's lead member for finance and corporate resources, said: "Direct Debit is a much cheaper way for us to process payments and the money we save can be used for the benefit of local residents in delivering services.

"We're encouraging as many people as possible to look out for the prize draw information included, switch to Direct Debit and be in with the chance of winning the £25,000. It's simple to switch by phone or on our website."

Anyone wanting to enter can return a completed paper Direct Debit instruction form to Brent Council, which can be downloaded at www.brent.gov.uk/counciltax

Residents who already pay their council tax bill by Direct Debit will be automatically entered into the prize draw for the £25,000 prize.

The prize will be drawn on July 17.

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