CHANGES at cash collection points in the town centres of Stockton, Billingham and Thornaby will help people save time in paying their council tax and rent.

Instead of queuing twice to pay money to Stockton Borough Council, customers will be able to hand over payments for both council tax and rent to the same cashier.

As part of the improvements, two council tax cash collection offices, the office in Prince Regent Street, Stockton, and the one in Queensway, Billingham, will close.

Instead, payments will be taken at the offices in Municipal Buildings, Stockton, and at the Billingham Town Centre Housing Office.

At the cash office in Appleby House, Thornaby, the cashiers will be taking council tax and housing rent.

The Brus House Housing Centre will remain open, but will no longer take payments.

The changes will come into effect from Monday, November 11.

Tristar Homes will still be responsible for the reception and inquiry facilities at Town Centre Housing Offices, and tenants will still have access to their housing officer as they do now. Away from the town centres, tenants will still be able to pay their rent at their locally based housing centres.

The Saturday morning payment facility is to be withdrawn because of the decline in the number of people using the service.

Instead, those who still pay their council tax on a Saturday will be given the chance to switch to direct debit or to have a plastic payment card which can be used at any post office.

The last date for Saturday payments will be on November 2.