Unpaid council tax amounts to £11m in Shropshire
Residents and businesses in Shropshire owe more than £11 million in unpaid tax bills, it was revealed today.
Residents and businesses in Shropshire owe more than £11 million in unpaid tax bills, it was revealed today.
The money is owed from uncollected council tax and business rates – but council chiefs said today that collection rates have now substantially improved on last year's figures, with the council's combined arrears dropping by more than £2 million in the course of the past year.
As of April 1 this year, a total of £7.65 million in council tax was owed – compared to £8.20 million at the same point in 2011.
And £3.81 million in business rates was owed this year, a major drop on the £5.38 million unpaid in April 2011.
It comes as new figures revealed council tax collection rates had improved over the last 12 months from 97.8 per cent to 98.2 per cent.
Percentages have also increased in the successful collection of business rates – up to 97.8 per cent from 97.1 per cent.
Councillor Martin Taylor-Smith, cabinet member with responsibilities for service transformation and organisational development at Shropshire Council, said the authority takes a 'firm but fair' approach to collecting taxes.
"Shropshire Council collects over £140 million council tax and over £70 million business rates each year.
"The gross arrears figure is the culmination of all outstanding arrears in respect of all previous financial years," he said.
"The council has a firm but fair approach to collection of debt as evidenced by our increasing collection rates over the past years.
"The council considers all available options in order to maximise collection of council tax and business rates arrears.
"These include applying for an attachment of earnings or attachment of benefits order (for council tax only), utilising the council's bailiff and we will also consider charging orders in appropriate cases. "
Mr Taylor-Smith added: "Council tax and business rates bills need to be paid and that is the responsibility of the taxpayer and the ratepayer.
"However, we would urge anyone who is having difficulty in paying council tax or business rates to contact the council's recovery team without delay on (01743) 256130."