Council ‘get tough’ policy on rate payers

March 1988

MORE water disconnections and court prosecutions are forecast as Louth county council introduces a ‘get tough’ policy on householders who owe £600,000 in outstanding service charges.

This is against a background of outdoor council staff being placed on shorttime since the beginning of the month because the local authority is in debt to the tune of £3 million.

‘If we had that £600,000 in, we would be able to keep workers in full-time employment, so people should be encouraged to pay up,’ says county secretary Brian Gormley.

However, more direct methods will also be used.

While there is an improvement since their last campaign, the council is stepping up efforts to secure payments of arrears of water and refuse charges.

All householders are asked to settle accounts immediately, and those who don’t pay will have their water cut off.

‘When this happens, the council will charge a fee of £100 for re-connection,’ warns Mr Gormley.

He reveals that 40 homes throughout the county, cut off previously, clear the arrears, and pay the re-connection fee.

There are approximately 2,000, out of 8,000 accounts in arrears, of which 500 make no effort to pay anything.

Solicitors are instructed to initiate proceedings against those who haven’t paid refuse charges, and a number of cases are due to come to court shortly.

‘Council finances are critical, and we have to collect this money,’ the secretary continues.

A previous crackdown brings about a marked improvement in payment of charges, and council officials hope for a similar outcome this time.