Chance to be Council Tax free for a year
One lucky resident of the Bradford district will get their Council Tax paid for a full year as part of a prize draw.

Bradford Council is organising the draw for residents who pay their Council Tax by Direct Debit.

Anyone who signs up to pay their Council Tax by Direct Debit before the 1 March as well as existing Direct Debit payers will be entered into the draw, taking place in March 2010.

Bradford Council is promoting this method of payment to help residents cut out unnecessary journeys and ensure peace of mind that the Council Tax is being paid.

By using Direct Debit Council Tax bills can be spread over 10 or even 12 months from April giving smaller monthly amounts. Residents are also offered a choice of four payment dates to suit their circumstances. The monthly amounts are then deducted from the householder's bank account.

Almost 90,000 residents in the district now use Direct Debit to pay Council Tax bills.

Coun Mohammad Masood, Bradford Council's Executive Member for Corporate, said: "This is a great way to encourage more residents to pay their Council Tax bills by Direct Debit. It is a convenient way to pay saving residents time, money, cheques and stamps."

Martin Stubbs, Assistant Director of the Council's Revenues and Benefits Service, said: "We will be writing to residents who don't currently use Direct Debit to pay their Council Tax bills to let them know about the draw and encourage them to sign up. Those currently signed up to pay their Council Tax by Direct Debit do not need to contact the Council as they will automatically be entered into the draw."

For details of how to set up a Direct Debit for Council Tax and for terms and conditions of the draw, visit www.bradford.gov.uk/directdebit or phone 01274 437866.