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Introduction
With the exception of Payroll and Housing Benefit payments, all payments are processed through the Creditor Payments system.
The system itself has been developed over several years and was re-written in-house to run on a Unix platform using SB+ to provide a 'Windows'-type environment, going live in March 1997. The previous 'green-screen' system was considered to be one of the best in the country by both Inland Revenue and Customs & Excise Computer Auditors. The new system has built upon this with a number of enhancements.

The System
The system is managed by a Creditor Payments section in the Exchequer Services Division of the Finance Directorate.
As well as providing scrutiny and checking of invoices, batching and input, the team maintain the system standing files, providing control at system and detail level of suppliers and invoices. The system has comprehensive security on access as well as payment authorisation levels. There is built-in checking for duplicate invoices, a comprehensive Construction Industry Tax module, and a flexible reporting package.  
Suppliers
Each supplier record has a 'normal terms' field which holds the number of days between invoice date and payment date. The Council's standard terms are 28 days, which allows a day or two for postage in meeting national recommendations of 30 days.
In addition to this, for each invoice there can be a 'Specified Payment Date' entered which overides the default. 

Suppliers are also classified into 'types', and some of these types have different terms of payment. For example, bus operators who claim monthly are paid within 17 days, foster parents have regular fortnightly payment runs.

Payments
Payment runs are made daily and payments can be made either by BACS or by cheque. BACS is preferred on cost grounds, and suppliers have the advantage of cleared funds in their account several days earlier than if they had to pay in a cheque.
There are other payments made through NatWest BankLine for money market transactions, and a small number of Direct Debits. All such payments are recorded in the system, so that a complete picture of payments is held.

Invoice Input
The system is designed so that input can be carried out remotely. At present all invoices for schools and the catering services DSO are processed within the Education Department.
The system can also receive invoice details from a variety of magnetic media, including CD-Rom, diskette, tape and by direct file transmission.
In some cases, special modules have been developed to enable 'one-bill' systems to operate, principally with the utilities. For example, BT provide a CD-Rom on a quarterly basis with all invoice details. In addition, they send a paper copy which is sent to each establishment for information and control. The invoices are taken onto the system without punching, there are very few, if any, reminders received, and a great deal of management information is received on the CD-Rom which enables significant analysis of calls to be made.      

 Queries
You can contact the Creditor Payments Section on :
 01824  -  706038 / 706036 / 706032 / 706034 / 706040