Submit your invoice
Get your invoices paid early on the Supplier Incentive Scheme
Central Bedfordshire Council is inviting you to become a member of its fast, fair and fuss-free early payment programme.
A unique way to get paid early
Central Bedfordshire Council is offering accelerated payment with no factoring, no borrowing, no credit checks and no complicated processes.
Faster payment
Fast-tracked invoice processing and dedicated contacts for when you need to get in touch.
Fair and transparent pricing
No sign up or admin costs, just a small percentage fee deducted from each invoice based on how early you are paid.
Fuss-free sign up
Join in 2 minutes, with no extra set up required to get started. Just simple, straightforward, early payment.
How it works
The Supplier Incentive Scheme (SIS) enables your invoices to be paid ahead of contractual payment terms in exchange for a pre-agreed rebate. The rebate is applied dynamically as the invoice is paid and is proportionate to how many days your payment is accelerated by.
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Wait for your invoice to be approved by the Council. This is targeted at day 10
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Your invoice is paid as soon as it is approved with a small rebate deduction
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You will receive a debit note to help balance your accounts
Your participation matters to us
The programme reflects the forward-thinking way that The Council wants to work with its suppliers, while also allowing them to reinvest in critical and under-funded services. Your participation is greatly appreciated.
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Our suppliers benefit from improved cash flow and reduced time spent chasing payments.
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A better way of doing business with Central Bedfordshire Council
Healthier cash flow
Pre-approved access to cash with no borrowing, no credit checks and no personal guarantees to worry about
With funds in your account earlier, you're in control of your own money
Access to funds you can invest in other important areas of your business
Peace of mind
With reliable early payment, your monthly outgoings are covered
No more chasing late or lost invoices, losing valuable man hours within your business
Dedicated supplier support based in The Council available to help whenever you need
A better working relationship
With fewer queries on invoice payment, you've got more time to talk about the things that matter to your business
Become a recognised Supplier Incentive Scheme (SIS) supplier, raising the profile of your business within The Council
Be on the side of your customer and become part of an important initiative that helps protect vital services for the local community
How early payment has helped other businesses
Don't just take our word for it. Hear what other businesses like you have said about the early payment programmes and how it has helped their businesses.
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Being part of the programme has enabled us to focus on growth. We're investing more time into attracting new residents and staff rather than chasing invoices.
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How do we compare to other financing options?
Supplier Incentive Scheme (SIS) offers earlier payment in exchange for a small percentage fee taken off the invoice value, to cover the cost of the programme. To ensure it's fair, the percentage amount is tied to the number of days your payment is accelerated: no acceleration means no fee.
Early payment programme
None
No
Pre-approved
Sign up in two minutes
None
No debt, interest, risk of missed repayments or impact of your credit rating
Dynamic % fee taken from each invoice dependent on the number of days payment is accelerated
Invoice factoring
Monthly service fees
Early payment fees
Arrangement fees
Dependent on provider
Risk assessment based on range of factors including the volume and size of your invoices, payment terms, your company history and track record
If clients don't pay you may have to buy back invoices
Your reputation may suffer if the factoring company doesn't align to your company's values
Pre-agreed discount taken from each invoice - usually between 0.5% and 5% of the amount loaned
Plus service charges
Business loan
Late payment charges
Administration fee
Yes - pre-application
Missed payments can accrue and be noted on your credit history
Lenders will look at your credit rating and assess your business and personal tax returns, bank statements, financial statements and legal documents
Missed payment cost can incur fees and negatively impact your credit rating
Long-term loan could restrict the monthly cash
Interest rates vary but typically the APR is between 5% - 10%
Plus late payment fees
Business credit card
Late payment charges
Administration fee
Inactivity charges
Cash withdrawals
Yes - pre-application
Missed payments can accrue and be noted on your credit history
Lenders will look at your credit rating and other checks dependent on the size and financial strength of your business
Missed payments can incur fees and negatively impact your credit rating
Some businesses won't accept payments via card
Interest rates vary but typically the APR is in the range of 15% - 20%
Plus late payment fees
Here to help
Is the programme mandatory?
No, a core principle of the Supplier Incentive Scheme (SIS) is that it is fair for everyone. This means it is a voluntary initiative that suppliers are invited to join.
Does it cost anything to join?
The programme is free to join. There are no service charges, admin fees or hidden charges. A small percentage fee is deducted from each invoice based on the number of days your payment has been accelerated.
How does the dynamic fee work?
To cover the cost of the programme, a small percentage fee is deducted from each invoice. This fee is called the Early Payment Rebate (EPR). The EPR is dynamic, which means the amount is dependent on the value of the invoice and number of days your payment is accelerated.
Is this invoice factoring?
No, the programme is not a form of factoring. Your invoices are not being sold to a third party, and all payments will continue to come directly from Central Bedfordshire Council.
How will early payment impact the invoice submission process?
You will continue to submit your invoices electronically as normal, just to a new email address. You will be paid by Central Bedfordshire Council when the payment is authorised instead of waiting for the payment due date.
How will I know what I've been charged?
The payment process is transparent and the relevant information (the percentage fee and the number of days your payment has been accelerated by) will be issued on a debit note alongside your payment.
Will my existing terms and conditions change?
The terms and conditions for the Supplier Incentive Scheme will only vary the payment terms applied to your contracts, but in all other respects, your contracts remain in full force and effect.
Who is Oxygen Finance?
Central Bedfordshire Council has partnered with Oxygen Finance as the leading expert at providing payment process improvements to government procurement offices and to optimise its payment performance through consultancy, supplier engagement and technology.
Oxygen Finance have signed up over 16,000 suppliers to its clients' early payment programmes, with over £5.5bn worth of invoices receiving early payment