NORTHERN GAS NETWORKS OPERATIONS LIMITED
Company number: 03528783
Reporting period:
1 October 2019 to 31 March 2020
Report filed on:
24 April 2020
Approved by:
David Waite
Payment statistics
Average time taken to pay invoices: 23 days
Invoices paid:
- within 30 days: 75%
- in 31 to 60 days: 20%
- in 61 days or more: 5%
Late and disputed:
- payments due in the reporting period which have not been paid within the agreed period: 43%
Payment terms
Shortest standard payment periods
0 days
Longest standard payment period
61 days
Standard payment terms
30 days from the month end following the date of the invoice.
Were there any changes to the standard payment terms in the reporting period?
No
Were suppliers notified or consulted about these changes before they were made?
N/A
Maximum contractual payment period agreed
61 days
Northern Gas Networks (NGN) applies distinct payment terms of 8 days, to a group of suppliers that come under the name of Direct Service Providers (DSPs). NGN are contractually obliged to pay DSPs within 14 days, and to facilitate these payments, payment terms are set to 8 days.
Any other information about payment terms
In October 2019, the beginning of this period of this submission, NGN implemented a new ERP system. To facilitate the cut over of data into this new system, payments to a number of suppliers were accelerated in September 2019 to clear the ledger. There was then the cut over period for which the ERP systems was unavailable (first 2 weeks of October) which lead to a significant backlog and some delays in supplier payments. Post go live there have been new processes to adapt to for both suppliers and NGN, including suppliers signing up to SAP Ariba, which have meant that some invoices have been received late, or paid later than the payment terms. NGN continue to work closely with all suppliers to assist them during this period of change.
Dispute resolution process
Suppliers are contacted if there is a dispute with their invoice or PO, a mismatch of quantity or standards of goods/services received. This query could be handled by either the requisitioner or the accounts payable team or a combination of both. A report is issued twice a week to promote resolution of queries. If a dispute is ongoing, it is escalated to a senior member of the finance team.
Other payment information
Has this business signed up to a code of conduct or standards on payment practices? If so, which?
For example, signatories to The Fair Payment Code must commit to paying 95% of their invoices within 60 days.
No, this business has not signed up to a code of conduct or standards on payment practices.
Does this business offer e-invoicing in relation to qualifying contracts?
This is where suppliers can electronically submit and track invoices. It's not just allowing suppliers to email them an invoice.
Yes
Does this business offer supply chain finance?
This is where a supplier who has submitted an invoice can be paid by a third-party finance provider earlier than the agreed payment date. The business would then pay the finance provider the invoiced sum.
No
Under its payment practices and policies, can this business deduct sums from payments under qualifying contracts as a charge for remaining on a supplier list?
No
During the reporting period, did the business deduct sums from payments as a charge for remaining on a supplier list?
No