News
25th Mar 2010
MSDC Commit to faster payments
MSDC reduces payment times to support local businesses
Mid Sussex District Council has made a commitment to support local businesses by reducing the amount of time it takes to pay invoices.
In the current recession, the Council understands how important it is for local businesses to receive a payment as soon as possible. It has therefore taken steps to reduce the amount of time it takes to process invoices and has made a commitment to pay all invoices within 10 days. Mid Sussex District Council previously set a target of payment within 30 days of receiving an invoice.
Mid Sussex District Council receives in excess of 7000 invoices every year. Processing this volume of payments is a massive undertaking that requires careful organisation. From 1 April 2010, Mid Sussex District Council is introducing a new intelligent scanning system that will scan invoices electronically and speed up payments for the Council’s creditors. The new system is a more efficient way of processing payments that requires less human intervention and this means staff are freed up for other important duties.
“In these tough economic times, Mid Sussex District Council is keen to offer its support to local businesses,” said Councillor Jonathan Ash-Edwards, Cabinet Member for Finance and Service Delivery. “The Council supports the local economy by, wherever possible, sourcing its goods and services from within the local area.
“These changes are the Council’s latest step in enhancing how we make payments to suppliers. To improve transparency, we already publish every payment over £500 online for public scrutiny and now paying invoices quicker will help the local businesses who supply the Council with their cash flow. The new systems being introduced will bring dramatic improvements to payment times as well as making the Council’s back office functions more efficient.”
