ELC Purchase Cards - changes

In the next month, there will be important changes for staff who currently have an East Lothian Council purchase card.

Replacement Cards

As a result of new government legislation to tackle fraud prevention, all existing cards will be replaced with new cards which have additional security requirements. New replacement cards will be issued to you all in the next couple of weeks with some key information set out below:

• All cards will now be issued alongside card readers. This will be particularly relevant if you are ordering goods / services on-line – where you will be asked to follow instructions on screen and enter the card within the card reader. Instructions for the use of the card readers will be emailed out to all card users. Please note that we are still awaiting detailed information from Barclaycard on the use of this, and more details will be issued to you all as soon as it is available.
• Some cardholders may have already received communication directly from Barclaycard – if you have any queries, please email Purchase Cards.
• All security / pin numbers will remain unchanged
• When you receive your new card, please ensure that your old card is destroyed appropriately (there is no need to return the old card to the Purchase Card administrator)
• If you do not receive a replacement card and card reader by the end of August, please email Purchase Cards. 

Replacement to CARDPLUS

• All purchase card statements are currently reconciled through a system called CARDPLUS. This system will no longer be available after 19th September, and a new system is currently being developed by Barclaycard.
• An on-line training manual is in the process of being developed and will be emailed to all users and authorisers as soon as possible.

Use of Purchase Cards

Please ensure that the use of Purchase Cards remains appropriate, and should only be used when alternative procurement methods are not available. Where alternative methods of procuring goods and services can be identified such as PECOS this should be used.

If you have any queries, please email Purchase Cards.