Invoice payment frequently asked questions
- What are invoice payments?
- When do we pay our invoices?
- Where do I send my invoices?
- What is a disputed invoice?
- How can I be paid by BACS?
- Invoice payment problems
- You have paid me in error, what do I do?
- Can we send copy invoices?
- Can I arrange an appointment to speak to someone?
What are invoice payments?
Invoice payments are payments to suppliers, council directorates and individuals for services or goods.
Examples include:
- Payments for goods and services such as stationery, social services care. Payments to sub-contractors for the Construction Industry Tax Scheme
- Education student awards
Other types of payment include:
- Petty cash payments
- Ex-gratia (one off) payments
- Grant payments
- Rent/council tax refunds
- Decoration allowances
When do we pay our invoices?
The city council pays all invoices within 30 days of receipt. In some cases Salford City Council has agreed faster payment terms with suppliers. These may be seven, fourteen or twenty-one days.
The payments start from the later of two dates: the date the invoice is received by the authority or the date that the goods or services are delivered.
Although we would like to pay every invoice within these timeframes, it may not always be possible.
Late payment may be because invoices:
- Are sent to the wrong address
- Do not have a purchase order reference
- Do not show contact details of the person who placed the order
- Have incorrect price or quantity information
- There is dissatisfaction with the goods or services supplied
The performance of the Financial Support Group Invoice Payment Section is monitored strictly against the city council's Best Value Performance Indicator This ensures that the majority of invoices are paid by the authority within 30 days.
Where should I send my invoice?
Please read the step by step guide to preparing and sending your invoice to Salford City Council.
Salford City Council has several separate businesses, these are:
- Salford City Council
- Salford Community Leisure limited
All invoices must be addressed to the correct business name and sent to the address below.
Example
An invoice raised for a purchase order from Salford Community Leisure must be addressed to: New Prospect Housing Ltd and sent to: Invoice Payments Team, Financial Support Group, Salford Civic Centre, Unity House, Chorley Road, Swinton, Salford M27 5AW.
Invoices for foodstuffs and social care
The only exceptions are for foodstuffs and social care. These invoices should be supplied to the appropriate council directorate and not to the invoice payments team. You do not need to state the purchase order reference on these invoices.
Disputed invoices
A disputed invoice generally contains either insufficient or inaccurate information that leads to a delay in payment.
An invoice will be treated as a dispute if:
- No purchase order has been quoted
- The information is incorrect
- If they have been sent to council directorates other than those specified
Disputed invoices will be returned to the supplier. The city council cannot amend any details on suppliers invoices, so please check invoices thoroughly before they are sent to the city council.
Can I be paid by BACS?
Yes, see our BACS payment information.
Invoice payment problems
Salford City Council are committed to ensuring all our suppliers receive a first class service.
There is a dedicated telephone enquiry line for queries. If you have any query about invoicing or payments, please telephone 0161 793 3343 and any member of the Invoice Payment Team will be able to assist you.
When you contact the Invoice Payment Team make sure you have the following information ready:
- The city council's official purchase order number beginning with 45
- The date and location the invoice was sent, and
- The invoice reference
Invoice payment schedules
The city council pays invoices daily by either cheque or by BACS. The city council's preferred method of payment is by BACS.
If you have paid me in error what do I do?
If you have been paid in error it is important you contact the invoice payments team immediately on 0161 793 3343. Arrangements will also be put in place to ensure the situation does not occur again.
Can we send copy invoices?
Copy invoices can only be sent when it has been proved that the original invoice has not been received/paid by the authority. All copy invoices must be marked ‘true and authenticated copy' and be appropriately certified.
Before the city council pays any copy invoice, the invoice payment team will check your payment history to make sure that duplicate payments have not been made. When we are satisfied that the invoice has not been paid and the goods or service provision has been approved, payment will be made immediately.
Please remember that posting an invoice does not guarantee that it has been received by the city council. It is also important to pay attention to the city council's invoicing arrangements.
Can I arrange an appointment to speak to someone?
Yes.
By telephone:
You can contact the Corporate Services Financial Support Group Invoice Payment Section on 0161 793 3343 between the hours of 8.30am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
In writing:
You can write to the following address:
Who to contact
- Name
- Invoice Payments Team
- Address
- Financial Support Group
Salford Civic Centre
Chorley Road
Swinton
Salford
M27 5AW
Map to this location - Telephone
- 0161 793 3343
- payment.enquiries@salford.gov.uk
This page was last updated on 1 June 2011
