tt is the Council's aim to collect all instalments as they become due.
the Council's recovery policy has been drawn up in accordance with current regulations BUT we try to be responsive to individual circumstances.
recovery policy for Council Tax is agreed in advance and ensures that all taxpayers are treated fairly and consistently.
all complaints are to be dealt with in seven days and depending on the nature of the complaint, recovery action may be suspended.
It is important that you contact us immediately if you are experiencing difficulty in paying
Summons
If you receive a summons it is because you have not ensured that we have received payments in accordance with reminder and final notices that have been sent to you.
A summons is a legal notice requiring you to appear at Staines Magistrates Court if you dispute liability.
Below is a list of valid disputes:
no entry in valuation list for period of liability.
the tax has not been properly set.
the tax has not been demanded in accordance with the statutory regulations.
the amount demanded has been paid.
that more than six years have elapsed since the day on which the sum became due.
the sum is in respect of a penalty which is subject to an appeal.
that bankruptcy or winding up proceedings have been initiated.
An outstanding appeal against your band value is not a valid defence against the granting of a liability order.
If you know the Council Tax is correct but in arrears you do not have to appear at court. Costs will usually be incurred with the issue of a summons - If you have not done so, you should contact the Council to see if an arrangement is possible.
If you elect to pay by direct debit we are usually prepared to spread any arrears over the remaining instalment period.
The Council will request a Liability Order at the hearing and you will be notified of this within a week (provided you have not previously made an arrangement to pay), further costs will be incurred with the granting of a Liability Order.
Once a Liability Order has been granted and provided you have not entered into an arrangement to pay, the Council will decide the next stage of enforcement, from the following:
attachment of earnings - deducting direct from your wages an amount set by legislation;
attachment of benefit - deducting direct from Income Support and 'Job Seekers Allowance'. Again the deductions are preset by legislation;
bailiff action is usually a course of last resort as the bailiffs fees will be incurred. It is however, a requirement before the next stage of recovery. Once the bailiffs have become involved any arrangement to pay must be with them.
The bailiffs act on behalf of the Council to recover a debt, either by an arrangement OR by removing goods and selling them at auction. They do follow a code of practice agreed by the Council as follows:
if you write to the bailiffs and a reply is required this will be sent within 10 working days.
they will make an initial visit to a taxpayer within 15 working days of receipt of the Liability Order.
arrangements are at the discretion of the bailiffs but will not exceed nine months in duration unless there are exceptional circumstances (Council's consent required).
Levy Notices are issued which include a breakdown of all legal fees incurred at each stage.
If the debt still remains outstanding following bailiff action the Council will issue a legal notice requiring you to attend a committal hearing at Staines Magistrates Court.
The Council has no power to write off the Council Tax liability on the grounds of hardship
By letter addressed to Council Tax, P.O. Box 291, Staines, TW18 1UY.
Telephone service
We will endeavour to answer calls into our office within five rings. 01784 446490 from 8am to 6pm Monday to Thursday and to 5pm on Friday.
Staff will give their names at the beginning of the call.
Answerphone facilities are available from 6pm on Monday to Thursday (5pm Fridays). We will deal with your message the next day and phone you back if this is required.
Enquiry desk
We have a small team of people who man the enquiry desk at the Council Offices from 8am to 6pm Monday to Thursday (5pm Friday).
ALSO You may also contact us using email or fax.
If you have received a notice of committal hearing please phone Recovery Officer Tina Martin on 01784 446210.
We are always interested in our customers views. If you have any comments or suggestions about the services specified please contact us
