Tax collection plea

COUNCIL, police and fire chiefs are calling for a review of council tax collection, to reduce the need for public sector savings.

A new report published by Leicestershire County Council claims that upping collection rates and improving forecasting could generate an extra £6.3m a year. This includes £4.5m more for the council which by 2020, will receive 85 per cent of its funding from council tax.

Coun Nick Rushton, council leader, and chairman of Leicestershire Combined Fire Authority, said: “Council tax is by far our biggest source of income so it’s vitally important we have the right policies and highest possible collection rates. If district councils raised their game, over £6m extra could be created for vital public services.

“This is a serious issue with stark consequences - service cuts have been made earlier than needed and there’s less money to meet the demands of a growing population.”