Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

This report analyses the Council tax and Business Rates arrears and considers the approach which is taken to its collection.

The increased involvement of Legal Services has enabled a more robust approach to be taken to challenge activity of charge payers who are seeking to avoid payment.  The debt outstanding at the end of the financial year has steadily reduced over the last few years. 

Some areas of Council Tax debt, particularly Attachment of Benefits and Earnings can take a long time until the debt is paid but legislation prevents alternative action in cases of benefits attachments. In addition the team aim to reflect members wishes in relation to the use of enforcement agents in vulnerable households.

Recommendation

That the report be noted.

Officer contact Alison Blount on telephone number Tel: 0161 474 5107 or alternatively email alison.blount@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) analysing the Council tax and Business Rates arrears and considering the approach which was taken to its collection.

The increased involvement of Legal Services had enabled a more robust approach to be taken to challenge activity of charge payers who were seeking to avoid payment.  The debt outstanding at the end of the financial year had steadily reduced over the last few years. 

Some areas of Council Tax debt, particularly ‘attachment of benefits and earnings’ could take a long time until the debt was paid but legislation prevented alternative action in cases of benefits attachments. In addition the team aimed to reflect members wishes in relation to the use of enforcement agents in vulnerable households.

The Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance (Councillor David Sedgwick) attended the meeting to answer members’ questions.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted and the Borough Treasurer be requested to submit regular reports to this committee in relation to Council tax and Business Rates arrears.

(2) That the Borough Treasurer be requested to provide the number of establishment posts responsible for pursuing Council tax and Business Rates arrears.