70 MCa/19/32 INTRODUCTION OF A COUNCIL TAX PENALTIES POLICY PDF 238 KB
Cabinet Member for Finance
Additional documents:
Decision:
It was Resolved:-
1.1 That the implementation of a policy for the issuing
of Council Tax penalties be approved.
Reason for Decision: The Council is committed to a pro-active approach in preventing and reducing the risks associated with fraud, error and other irregularities in the administration of Council Tax. Implementation of this policy supports this commitment.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:
1.1 To continue service delivery as is, without utilising the opportunity to use Council Tax penalty regulations as part of an anti-fraud strategy.
1.2 Implement a policy for the issuing of Council Tax penalties as part of an anti-fraud strategy in order to maximise the tax base and protect the public purse.
Any Declarations of Interest Declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None
Minutes:
The Cabinet Member for Finance introduced the report which had been prepared by the Shared Revenue Partnership. Councillor Whitehead explained the background to the policy and moved the recommendations. Councillor Gould seconded the recommendations.
Councillor Field expressed his concerns regarding the impact of the policy on residents who may find it difficult to fund council tax payments. Councillor Whitehead responded and explained that the policy would allow for discretion around how the penalties would be applied.
Councillor Field went on to query if figures were available to demonstrate how many people would fall into the category of committing deliberate fraud. The SRP Operations Manager advised that work was currently focussing on the single persons discount and approximately 250 people had failed to update details in the past year. However figures regarding incidents of deliberate fraud were not available at this time.
By a unanimous vote
It was Resolved:-
1.1 That the implementation of a policy for the issuing of Council Tax penalties be approved.
Reason for Decision: The Council is committed to a pro-active approach in preventing and reducing the risks associated with fraud, error and other irregularities in the administration of Council Tax. Implementation of this policy supports this commitment.