Mr Rounthwaite was ‘over the moon’ after winning the Council run competition, which had been used to promote a new ‘Self Service’ facility which enables customers to view their Council Tax, Business Rates and Benefits accounts online, via the Council’s website.
	The new facility was introduced in January 2007 and allows customers to access their accounts 24 hours a day.  Residents can register for a secure pin number with which they can log into their Council records by logging on to the Council’s website at www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk.

Council Tax and Business Rates payers can check their balance, make payments, find out the band or rateable value of a property and view documents issued by the Council’s Revenues Department. In addition to being able to access the new service 24 hours a day, requests can also be made to receive all future bills electronically. This is much better environmentally as the council are saving paper and reducing emissions generated by transporting mail.

Benefits customers can check the progress of their claim, look at the amounts awarded, and view notifications sent out to them by the Benefits Department.

Mr Rounthwaite registered for the new service, automatically being entered into a prize draw to win a new laptop.  Capita Software Services, provider of the new online facility, kindly donated the prize. 

Mr Rounthwaite said, ‘all I did was register. It is the first prize I have ever won and I am thrilled about
winning such a fantastic prize. It is great to be able to access my account online as I am not always able to contact the council during office hours due to the nature of my work. This facility makes it much easier to pay my bills at a time of day convenient to me’

For more information on how to use the new Self Service facility please log on to the council’s web site or contact Customer Services on 01455 238141, they will be happy to help with registration enquiries or discuss the benefits of this new service.

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