In the next weeks, more than 150,000 council tax bills will have been delivered to people across North West Leicestershire, Hinckley and Bosworth and Harborough districts.

These three district councils form a partnership that is responsible for issuing the bills.

This week they are collectively appealing this week for people to ask 'Can I save myself time by looking it up online?' before picking up the phone to ask a question about the bill.

Now, the councils are assuring customers - you do not need to call to check about your council tax bill if:

• You pay by Direct Debit
• You've overpaid your council tax – it will be automatically credited against the next year's bill 
• You pay by standing order, this needs to be arranged through your bank
• You pay at the Post Office – just use the barcode on your bill to pay at the Post Office

Information on council tax, when it is billed, how the bill is split and how to update details online is available on each council website at:

• www.nwleics.gov.uk/counciltax
• www.harborough.gov.uk/council-tax
• www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/counciltax

"We're set up to help customers with their enquiries, and we put every effort into making sure we're available during peak times, like when the council tax bills go out," said Julie Kenny, Director of Corporate and Streetscene Services at Hinckley and Bosworth District Council and Chair of the Management Board for the Revenues and Benefits Partnership.

"This year, we're asking customers to consider if they can save themselves time by looking it up online.

"Not only will this save customers time, but it will also mean customers with complex enquiries can speak to someone quickly too."