Important notice for Sedgemoor and Somerset West and Taunton residents - We are upgrading our system for Council Tax, Benefits and Business Rates - Read about the changes

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Council Tax and Business Rates Direct Debits
You may receive a notification from your bank regarding a new Direct Debit set up for ‘R&B Somerset Council’. This follows a change in the bank account name used for collecting Council Tax and Business Rates. No action is required from you.

If you no longer have an active account with a balance with us, please be assured that no payments will be taken. This is a standard update and your existing Direct Debit arrangements remain in place.

If you have any concerns, we recommend contacting your bank in the first instance.

Somerset Council systems upgrades

We are in the process of upgrading our system for Council Tax, Benefits and Business Rates. Details of service disruption due to the system changes will be made available on this page.

Somerset West and Taunton system downtime

information

Starting on the evening of 29 September, there will be a minimum three week disruption for Somerset West and Taunton residents while the changeover takes place.

During this time:

  • Online Forms – There will be some disruption to online forms. More details will be available nearer the time. Claims for benefits or changes in circumstances will still be available.
  • Customer Services will be unable to process changes or claims during this time, but will continue to give advice.
  • Housing Benefit customers – Customers will receive a letter with details of their Housing Benefit payment dates. This is just to keep you informed, as we will be aligning payment dates across Somerset.
  • Payments online and using the automated phone line can be made as normal.
  • Direct Debits will also continue as normal. We don’t anticipate having any issues with Direct Debits, but should customers wish to cancel or amend their Direct Debit for the 1st, 8th, 15th, 20th, 23rd October, or 1st or 8th of November payment, they will need to contact their bank directly.
  • Bank Details – Our Service User Numbers and Mandate References are changing.  Look out for more information.

Residents are reminded that the Council will never contact them to ask for bank details by phone, email or text message.

Sedgemoor system downtime

information

System is currently down for maintenance. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. We are working to get it back up and running as soon as possible.

During this time:

  • Online Forms – There will be some disruption to online forms. More details will be available nearer the time. Claims for benefits or changes in circumstances will still be available.
  • Customer Services will be unable to process changes or claims during this time, but will continue to give advice.
  • Housing Benefit customers – Customers will receive a letter with details of their Housing Benefit payment dates. This is just to keep you informed, as we will be aligning payment dates across Somerset.
  • Payments online and using the automated phone line can be made as normal.
  • Direct Debits will also continue as normal. We don’t anticipate having any issues with Direct Debits, but should customers wish to cancel or amend their Direct Debit for the 1st, 8th, 15th, 20th, 23rd October, or 1st or 8th of November payment, they will need to contact their bank directly.
  • Bank Details – Our Service User Numbers and Mandate References are changing.  Look out for more information.

Residents are reminded that the Council will never contact them to ask for bank details by phone, email or text message.

Last updated: October 17, 2025

Next review due: April 17, 2026

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