Council tax blunder at Post Office

Hundreds of people have been unable to pay their council tax because of a misprint on their bills.

People going to post offices to pay are refused because a barcode on bills has too many numbers.

The mistake caused distress to many Black Country pensioners who pay bills over the counter.

It is a second Sandwell Council mistake. Thousands of misprinted leaflets sent last month gave an incorrect breakdown of bills for the next financial year.

The latest error means post offices cannot scan bills. The council has apologised and urged anyone affected to call for a new bill.

Gurdip Singh, aged 32, of Snapdragon Drive, Tame Bridge, said: "I walked into the post office and the man behind the till just laughed.

"He said he hasn't been able to take a single payment. It means that I am now late paying and I'm dreading getting an angry warning letter."

Mr Singh went to pay at the post office in Walsall Road, Stone Cross, on Wednesday when the payment was due, but work commitments mean he has been unable to make another trip and he is now three days overdue.

Councillor Steve Eling, council deputy leader and cabinet member for strategic resources, said: "The Council Tax bills issued for 2009/10 do contain an error in the bar code which affects a small number of payers who make payment at the Post Office.

"However, should any payers encounter a problem they can contact the Revenues and Benefits Service and an amended bill showing the correct bar code will be issued.

"Alternatively, there are several other payment methods which may be used including telephone payment, Internet, direct debit and payment at council offices."

Last month thousands of people got misprinted leaflets about council tax.