EAST Hampshire District Council is to introduce a new system which means that all its services can be paid for with credit cards.
But in a bid to stop residents on lower incomes getting into debt, councillors this week decided that the system will not operate for the payment of council tax bills.
Teresa Jamieson told members of EHDCÕs cabinet last week that in keeping with its anti-poverty strategy, it would be helpful to accept only debit cards for the big council tax bills.
ÒIf we introduce the new system for all services, people who cannot afford to pay their council tax bills may opt to use credit cards and could pay up to 30 per cent in interest,Ó she said.
Andrew Pattie supported Mrs JamiesonÕs proposal. ÒCouncil tax is a huge debt to have if you are on a low income and paying on a credit card appears to take the pressure away, but itÕs a bad decision and I would like to propose we strike it from the services that can be paid for by credit cards.Ó
When the new system is introduced payments for all services, except council tax, will be acceptable by debit or credit cards, by telephone and on the internet.