Making an exceptional payment

Wherever possible, you should avoid using paper or cash based payment methods.

Before using the exceptional payment process, you should consider whether you can make the payment using one of the council's preferred payment options.

Purchase cards (P-Cards)

Electronic payment request tool (EPRT)

Paying for goods and services using My Oracle

When exceptional payments can be used

Exceptional payments are resource intensive and open to security risks. 

You should only use this payment method where no other approved payment option is available. This includes when you are making a payment to a foreign bank account or need to make a same day payment.

Complete the exceptional payment form

To use this payment method, you should complete the Exceptional Payment Form (CO001) (PFD, 300KB).

When adding the payment details, you will need to include the subjective code (XLSM, 150KB). This is a 5 digit number that identifies the type of goods or service you are buying.

The form must be signed by the correct budget holder, in line with the Scheme of Delegation, which sets out how accountability and decision making works in the council.

Once completed the form and all supporting documentation should be sent to:

Purchase to Pay Team
Transactional Services, E1 County Hall

Contact the Purchase to Pay (P2P) team

If you need support with exceptional payments, contact the Purchase to Pay (P2P) team on 033301 35888 or use the Assyst portal by selecting ‘Financial Services’ and then ‘Purchase to Pay (P2P)’.