Households across the borough are being urged to be first in line to get their £150 energy bill rebate by setting up direct debits for their council tax payments.

For those who are in council tax bands A to D, they will receive the one-off payment, paid into their bank account in May to help with the increased cost of living.

Signing up to pay their council tax by direct debit means the council will have all the information required to make the payment as soon as it is available.

The cost of living including increased energy and food prices is set to hit household budgets even further, so we are doing everything to protect our residents

Households not paying by direct debit will need to apply to the council for the rebate which will take longer.

Councillor Dominic Twomey, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance & Core Services, said: “The cost of living including increased energy and food prices is set to hit household budgets even further, so we are doing everything to protect our residents. 

“Every little helps - and I will encourage residents to sign up so they are first in line to receive the energy bill rebate.”

Only one payment per household is permitted and you must be registered to pay council tax to receive the £150.

Residents can set up a direct debit if they have not already done so. They can do this online through My B&D. If they don’t have a My B&D account, they can register for one here.