Published Wednesday 10 July 2019 at 10:56
Signing up to online Council Tax services has certainly paid off for one lucky Blackburn with Darwen resident after he won a brand new iPad!
And, the timing couldn’t be better for Oliver Jones as he’s set to jet off to South Africa to get married.
I couldn’t believe that I’d won,
the 28-year-old from Darwen, said.
I thought it was a hoax at first and rang up straight away to check that it wasn’t!
I’m chuffed to bits.
I was actually going to buy an iPad as I’m getting married in South Africa and we’re having our honeymoon in Mozambique so it’ll be great to take it with us.
The competition was launched earlier this year by Blackburn with Darwen Council as part of a drive to save on costs – with £170,000 being spent every year on sending out Council Tax letters – including annual bills, statements, reminders and letters when there’s a change of circumstances.
Winner Oliver, who works for Blackburn-based Thorite, was presented with his prize by Councillor Andy Kay, Executive Member for Finance and Government, Councillor Quesir Mahmood, Executive Member for Digital and Customer Services, Paul Fleming, the Council’s Director of Digital and Business Change and Andy Ormerod, Head of Service for Revenues, Benefits and Customer Services (all pictured).
Oliver added:
I bought my first house two years ago and automatically signed-up to have an online account to pay for my Council Tax.
It’s so much easier, there’s no confidential paperwork to get rid of and it’s better for the planet.
I’d like to say thank-you to the Council and would very much encourage people who haven’t already signed-up for an online account to do so as it takes the hassle away.
As part of the competition, all residents who had already signed up to the digital service, including Oliver, were automatically entered in to the draw.
Councillor Andy Kay said:
It was a pleasure to be able to hand over the prize to Oliver and I hope he makes really good use of it on his African adventure.
I’d like to wish him all the best for his impending nuptials and again congratulate him on winning this prize.
The competition proved a great success with more than 3,500 new residents signing up to our online Council Tax services.
It’s a fast, reliable and secure way to receive Council Tax bills and at a time when we’re facing significant budget pressures, it really does help us save on costs.
I’d appeal to all residents that are able to, to please consider making the switch and register now.
To find out more, simply visit: Blackburn.org.uk and search ‘Council Tax’