300 in court for unpaid council tax
MORE than 300 people could face bailiffs, bankruptcy or prison after a local authority took court action over £100,000 worth of unpaid council tax bills.
Anglesey council has had liability orders issued against 338 residents for not paying up
he authority was initially pursuing 608 people, but since beginning legal proceedings 134 paid in full and 136 were withdrawn for various reasons or deleted.
There had been a total of £247,000 in missing council tax and costs.
Speaking at Holyhead Magistrates Court yesterday, Margaret Bishop, of the council’s recovery support services, said the majority of the offenders had been issued final notices in ber.
She said: “There was no objections to the applications and none wished to appear in court.”
If granted by the courts, people under the orders who fail to pay can be jailed, made bankrupt or have possessions seized bailiffs.
A spokesman for Anglesey council said: “Nine council tax recovery courts will be held during 2014/15 for recovery of unpaid council tax. This was the eighth.”
The previous seven courts helped to recover £1,654,606. The authority’s collection rate for each respective council tax year is more than 99%, and it also
Octo- sought orders against 11 businesses/business owners for unpaid business rates.
Cllr Hywel Eifion Jones, finance portfolio holder, said the authority has a good record collecting council tax and did offer reductions. He said: “We try to take a sympathetic view. If ple have problems ying they can talk o us. In cases like this, more often than not it is when a dialogue has broken down and we have to take extreme measures. “More than a rd of Anglesey residents are eligible for a reduction so we are an understanding authority. But when it reaches a stage like this, we are left with no option.”