Crackdown on council tax dodgers
THE city council is to crack down on those claiming a single person discount on their council tax bill when they do not live alone.
The local authority expects to identify 4,000 households where the discount is claimed improperly.
The initiative could generate an additional £1.1m of income for the city council next year.
Councillor Graham Chapman, council deputy leader, said: "It is not fair on the council tax payers who are paying the full amount that some people do not pay their dues by not declaring they live with someone else."
About 130,000 households in Nottingham pay council tax.
The average charge per household is £1,108 and a single person discount will save £277 a year. Currently, more than 56,000 households claim a single person discount.
Coun Chapman said the income from council tax is vital to deliver public services and it is important to maximise income.
He said: "The tax pays for essential services like education, child protection and helping disabled people. We are having to make job cuts to pay for extra pressures [in children's services and adult social care]."
The city council has commissioned Experian and Northgate to review and update council tax accounts to identify those who are receiving discounts who are not entitled to them.
The council will pay the company £37.50 for each discount removed and it anticipates the total scheme will cost £150,000.
The council says the project will not only boost income but by using an outside company it will be cheaper and more effective.
A spokesman for the city council said: "Using an external organisation that has facilities we can't match and can do the job speedily is a good and efficient way of doing it."
Previously, the city council has written to residents asking them to inform the authority if their status has changed, but there is a suspicion that some people did not complete the form honestly.
The firm has access to databases which the council does not use, such as credit reference information, which may reveal whether a resident is married or cohabiting. Where evidence emerges a person may have not properly declared their status they will be contacted directly.
Currently, the council is not planning to backdate charges but will collect the full amount owed in the next financial year, which begins on April 1, 2010.
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by Plonk, Heanor at work
Tuesday, January 12 2010, 2:35AM
“Bill i simply wanted to knowwhat maggie had to do with people conning the system, particularly as its irrelevant until some of the bigoted tunnel visioned politically biased morons who frequent this site try to insert it into the thread.
Thank god for you and andyman who try to be objective.”
by Bill Lawrenson, Keyworth
Monday, January 11 2010, 9:31AM
“Plonk I know it stretches the thread but her one sentence does sum it up ""Look It is not from the dole. It is your neighbour who is supplying it ".
As you and many others will be aware fraud robs you and me Plonk not some anonymous Government.”
by Plonk, Heanor at work
Monday, January 11 2010, 2:52AM
“And what has margaret thatcher got to do with this story!!! nothing.”
by FW, Nottingham
Monday, January 11 2010, 12:03AM
“Indeed, Bill, but it takes issue with the system that distributes the money and encourages reliance upon it, not with any individuals who may be defrauding the system. I don't disagree with the principle it is expressing, but, contrary to Mr Mann's pointless witterings, it has no bearing on such daft questions as whether Margaret Thatcher was a "liberal lefty."”
by Bill Lawrenson, Keyworth
Sunday, January 10 2010, 11:31PM
“In all fairness FW I think the speech points out that the money doesn't come from "the government" but from other peoples pockets. It also points out something which is often forgotten - that with rights comes responsibilities. As you said a good speech, in particular regarding our responsibilities to children.”
by FW, Nottingham
Sunday, January 10 2010, 9:41PM
“Quite so, Mr Mann. So, nothing at all to do with people who break the law and cheat on benefits, but rather about the fact that the benefit system is set up in such a way that people can use it to their advantage when it would be better if they were encouraged back into work, and i they looked after and were looked after by their families. A good speech though.”
by Just pointing out, the Truth!
Sunday, January 10 2010, 9:04PM
“Madbadger wrote: "JPOTL, you're sort of funny. In a way that yer gran might not like. Please grow up!"
Briefly: Thanks. That's the closest i'm ever going to get to a compliment, so it means a lot to me,
J wrote: " .... I'll sort you out with a nice wrap of columbian marching powder and perhaps, just perhaps, you'll be able to chill out and have a bit of proper banter ... "
Briefly, thanks for the generous offer. But, even if I did touch narcotics it wouldn't 'chill me out', as it would increase my heart beat and heighten my senses and as a result probably make me paranoid - especially in public. But, nevertheless, the offer is appreciated.
Good night to you both.”
by Bill Lawrenson, Keyworth
Sunday, January 10 2010, 9:03PM
“Well MadBadger I do hope people will read that last post in it's entirety because, whether you love or hate Maggie T ( and BJ) it is a speech which puts into perspective the rights and responsibilities we all have, or should have. This is one post by BJ which I did find interesting and for that I applaud him. It is also well crafted and not a piece of spin doctored garbage.
Incidentally MadB it is not wise to accuse people of having an STD as that constitutes a libel as well as being just unpleasant and unwarranted.”
by Mr B J Mann, Nottingham
Sunday, January 10 2010, 9:00PM
“OK, here's a shorter version for you MadBadger, j, and co:
What do you think of her based on this, as opposed to the out of context drivel you usually hear she supposedly said:
Yet it's even bigger than this knock-about over what the government should or should not be doing. It's about the role of society in all of this. And that means you and me.
In a functioning democracy we need a healthy society. One where men and women take responsibility for themselves. Where they join together to help each other as families, as neighbours and as communities.
We all need a helping hand at some point in our lives. But we need a hand up, not a hand out.
This is society's challenge. How to build a country where everyone is prepared to do things for themselves while at the same time helping and supporting others - without being accused of interfering.
.”
by Stumpy, The Hollows
Sunday, January 10 2010, 8:48PM
“Cripes Mr Mann
I'm going to bed on this one.
You see to be talking a lot of sense.
Too much for most here I'm afraid.
Best wishes and like you I will be interested to see what bile can be thrown at you tomorrow.
They don't want reason and common sense y'know.
Certainly not Morality and Social Conscience.”