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03/09/08 - 'Double standards' at work in collection of council's taxes?
I refer to a recent article in the Standard reporting the fact that Boston Borough Council is owed approximately £2 million in unpaid council tax.
This revelation illustrates what, on the face of it, appears to be some sort of ambivalence on the part of the council in its approach to the collection of the said tax.
I think I am entitled to make this comment because, for the last 25 years or so, we paid our tax on or about the 17th of each month to coincide with the date we paid our mortgage. This we did faithfully each month without once missing a payment, and it was always accepted by the council without comment or question. Indeed, one of our previous neighbours who worked at the council in the rates/council tax office told us that 'as long as it is paid within the month the council was not concerned'.
Indeed, I would reiterate and say that not once in the whole of the 25 years have we ever received any communication stating we were either behind in our payments or late making them.
However, last year, when we had finished paying our mortgage in August we started making payments on or about the seventh of each month, and we were under the impression that this was again acceptable – until we received a letter from the council, no doubt with many others, saying we were behind in our payments (when, in fact, payment had been made), stating that payment had to be made straight away, and if not the council could demand that we pay the outstanding amount in full, and presumably withdraw the concession of monthly payments on any future council tax bill. I believe this letter was sent in October 2007, if my memory serves me correctly.
It also suggested that we could pay our bill by direct debit. Since reading the item in Boston Matters relating to council tax we have decided to go down this route, opting to pay on the 28th of each month, thus giving us nearly a month's grace.
The aforementioned letter is roughly in line with the advice given in the Boston Matters 2008 edition which states: 'late payments will generate a reminder shortly after the due date, and if payments continue to be late the right to payments by instalments will be withdrawn. Furthermore, we are informed the council will not hesitate to institute court proceedings which could result in debt recovery by bailiffs, an attachment of earnings order, bankruptcy proceedings, charges upon the debtor's home and ultimately an application to have the debtor committed to prison'.
All this is fair enough, and no more than what a conscientious and competent council should and would do, but it seems to me that the council is deliberately aiming at the soft targets and not at those who persistently refuse to pay.
With all this tax outstanding, why have I never seen it reported in the local press that court proceedings are being instituted with the aim of collecting unpaid monies?
Indeed, I am given to understand that at one time the council employed someone tasked with dealing with debtors, with the ultimate aim of trying to reclaim some of it.
Is this person still employed, or has the whole idea been dropped?
As I have previously said, there seems to be some sort of ambivalence in the council's approach with regard to
non-payers (as distinct from those who pay regularly and without fail but probably a day or two late), who should be dealt with in the same way irrespective of who they are.
Mrs J. Dawson
Woodside, Wyberton
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Weather for Boston, Lincolnshire
Thursday 24 May 2012
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