North Tyneside Council chiefs approve removal of kiosks for paying council tax bills

The council has decided the payment terminals are no longer value for money, but regular users will be helped to find alternatives.

North Tyneside Council bosses have signed off on the removal of payment kiosks for paying council tax and other bills amid cost concerns and the availability of other accessible options.

The local authority’s cabinet approved plans to remove six payment kiosks across its Customer First Centres, as bosses believe they no longer offer value for money for itself or its customers. However, the authority’s report states this marks a shift from the kiosk method of payment to “easy-to-use computers” within the hub. Such kiosks can be used to make payments to the council, such as council tax.

In addition, according to figures from North Tyneside Council, the cost per transaction with the kiosks is £3.04, whereas the internet or direct debit costs only £0.06, and the post office £0.37. The council’s report also states the kiosks are nearing the “end of their life”, with maintenance costs of over £12,000 for one year, with each kiosk only used on average seven times a day.

This is in contrast to the 1.6m individual payments made to the authority in 2023/24, of which around 930,000 were direct debits, with the remaining 40% paid through debit cards, cash, bank transfers and cheques.

Coun Sandra Graham, cabinet member for climate emergency, said: “I cannot believe the huge change in how people pay their bills post-pandemic but I am really pleased to see that we are really inclusive and have measures in place to support people who choose not to pay in a digital fashion.”

North Tyneside Council has contacted customers who make their regular payments by kiosks in order to make them aware of the different and “accessible” options available. The council’s report on the issue also states that staff in customers services will be able to advise on alternative methods.

According to the council’s report: “Not having a kiosk payment offer would not remove accessible payment options as the customer can still use other accessible options including at the Community Hub to make a payment online.” Council customers can continue to make payments with cash or card at a number of PayPoint outlets or post offices across North Tyneside.

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