Bad debts are written off

Kirklees Council’s service director for finance, Debbie Hogg, said: “The figures for council tax and business rates demonstrate how important it is for everyone to pay their share of council tax and business rates to The council says it normally only writes off debts if it thinks it will cost more to recover the money than the value of the debt help fund essential council services.

“Arrears overall are falling and collection is rising year on year.

“As an example, the arrears for Council Tax have fallen by 25.8% since 2014/15.”

A Kirklees Council spokesperson said: “The council aims to maximise its collection and recovery of all council tax and business rates debts before asking for debt to be written off.

“The recovery process ensures that all accounts in arrears are chased through reminders, summonses, obtaining liability orders through magistrates’ court to allow use of bailiffs, attachment to earnings or benefits, issuing committal proceedings, instigating insolvency proceedings, or putting charging orders on properties.

“The council only writes off arrears where it appears it would not be cost effective to collect or the debtor has absconded.

“Equally, if circumstances change, previously written off debts can be pursued again.”

The council’s corporate governance and audit committee will meet to discuss the report on Friday.