If you have problems paying your Council Tax bill, please let us know immediately.  We will look into your case, and where possible offer you another payment arrangement.

It is vital that you contact us as soon as possible, as the longer you leave it and the debt builds up, the harder it will be to make an acceptable arrangement to clear the debt.  Remember that paying by direct debit ensures that your payments are made on time each month.

The recovery timetable where a person either does not pay or fails to agree a revised payment schedule with us is as follows:

1. as soon as you miss a payment we will send you a reminder.  If you don’t bring your instalments up to date within seven days of receiving the reminder you will lose the right to pay by instalments. If you pay the amount requested on the reminder, no further action is taken
2. a maximum of two reminders will be sent.  If each is paid and you fall behind a third time, you will be sent a final notice that will cancel your right to pay by instalments and you will be requested to pay the full amount outstanding
3. should you fail to pay a reminder, or receive a final notice and do not pay the full amount, the next action will be a summons for non- payment to be issued
4. if you receive a Magistrates Court Summons because you have not paid your Council Tax, the cost of issuing the summons will be added to your account
5. if you still do not pay, the Magistrates will be asked to grant the Council a liability order against you. On receipt of this, other methods may be used to collect the outstanding monies, including Bailiff action, attachment of earnings or benefits.   Bankruptcy proceedings may also be taken.  All of these methods may incur further costs to you.