01/03/06 Welwyn Hatfield Council's New Kiosk Machine

Welwyn Hatfield Council is pleased to announce a new way of paying for and accessing Council services – the Kiosk Machine.

Located in the Reception of the Campus East offices in Welwyn Garden City, the touch-screen machine provides access to the following facilities for residents and businesses:

• Payment of Council Tax
• Payment of rent
• Payment of Business Rates
• Payment of invoices
• Payment of parking fines
• Payment of Council mortgages
• Payment of benefit overpayments
• Request and pay for a bulk collection
• Request and pay for a hazardous waste collection
• Request and pay for a fridge/freezer collection

Using the machine, the following can also be purchased:

• Welwyn Garden City heritage map
• Dog waste bags and scoops
• Radar keys
• Garden bags

At the current time, the machine accepts cash only. Receipts are given for all transactions. Debit and credit card payments for all these facilities can be made over the website (www.welhat.gov.uk) or by phone (01707 357000).

The machine was installed in November 2005 and since that time the Council has been running thorough checks of the software. The machine was scheduled to be activated by 1 April 2006 so the Council is delighted that it is up and running well ahead of schedule.

Mark Gilding, Executive Member for Partnerships, Performance and Communication, said: “The purpose of this machine is to make Council services more accessible. This newest development goes hand-in-hand with the improved Contact Centre and website. We want to make it as easy as possible for businesses and residents to get the most from the Council and this is a further step towards achieving that goal.”