Making an Online Payment

           

Paying for things online via the Internet is both convenient and straightforward. At Swindon Borough Council, we want to make it as easy for you to do business with the Council as possible and, in addition to existing methods available to you, we have introduced a secure online payment facility for various types of transaction.

To make an online payment, please select the payment type from links in 'Related Pages' to the right.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you would like more information about the various aspects of making payments online, the following frequently asked questions may help.

Q. Which cards can I use to make a payment?

A. The type of card you can use depends on the type of payment you are making:

• Parking fine payments and housing payments can be made online using Mastercard, Visa, Visa Electron, Switch, Delta, Solo and JCB.
• For council tax payments you can use debit cards like switch, Delta or Solo. There is no maximum limit when paying by debit card. Credit cards such as Mastercard or Visa may be used up to a maximum payment value of £500. This limit has been set as part of the Council's ongoing aim of reducing banking costs.

Q. Will I be able to have a receipt for the transaction?

A. When you have completed the online payment process, a receipt number will be displayed. Also, if you supply us with your e-mail address, a receipt will be e-mailed to you at the e-mail address you provide. This may be printed and retained as a record of the transaction.

Q. What can I pay online?

A. It's possible to pay for many Council services online, including council tax, business rates,council rent and many others (please follow the links to the right).

Q. Is the process of making electronic payments secure?

A. Yes it is secure. Your transaction will take place within a secure payment system. We use Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology, a standard supported by major Internet browsers. Your personal and card details are protected using 128-bit encryption protection when transmitted over the Internet, providing your Internet browser supports 128-bit encryption.

Q. How do I know if my Internet browser supports 128-bit encryption?

A. Basically, 128-bit encryption is supported by Internet Explorer (version IE5) and above and Netscape (version 4.8) and above. Lower level browsers will still provide a level of encryption but this will be at a lower level. Browser upgrades can be downloaded from either the Microsoft or Netscape products websites.

Q. What if my Internet browser doesn't support 128-bit encryption?

A. Lower level browsers will generally still allow you to make an online payment, but the level of encryption will be at a lower, less secure level. In order to gain maximum protection for a transaction we recommend that you upgrade your Internet browser to one that supports 128-bit encryption.

Q. Who stores my card details?

A. Swindon Borough Council does not store your payment card number. A bank-approved payment gateway stores your card number. In any case, Swindon Borough Council abides by the principles of the Data Protection Act 1998 and will ensure that any personal information it receives will not be used for any other purpose; neither will it be disclosed to any other third party.

Q. What if my card is refused?

A. Cards are not refused by Swindon Borough Council - they are refused by the card issuer. There are a number of reasons why this can happen. Should your card be refused, we suggest that you contact your card issuer directly.