Digital Delivery by Shepway District Council [An Annual Posting]

In 2015, I posted about the inability of Shepway District Council to accept an online debit / credit card payment for the renewal of a parking permit.

In 2016, I posted about the inability of Shepway District Council to accept an online debit / credit card payment for the renewal of a parking permit.

On Saturday, I received my 2017 renewal notice for my parking permit (which is now £60 - a stealth tax rise of £8 or 15%. But I disgress).

• You still can't pay it online using a debit or credit card.
• You still can't pay over the phone with a debit or credit card.
• To pay by card, you still need to go to the Civic Centre.

In 2017, Shepway District Council will still not accept an online debit / credit card payment - or even a payment by phone - for the renewal of a parking permit.

In June 2015, Rory Love, Cabinet Member for "Digital Delivery", came back to my original comment promising he "will be back in touch with you as soon as I have some information on this."

In June 2016, having emailed Rory again once again this, his response was "The intention is to allow payments by all channels. As a result of your initial enquiry, I've already acted to have it stated on the forms that payments can be accepted over the phone once the completed application is returned."

No, Rory, no you didn't. The forms still say payment by card can only be made in person at the Civic Centre. In 2017. Despite your assurance two years ago and a year ago, Shepway seem to still not be delivering on this, digitally or otherwise...