Council tax summonses rise

Cheshire East Council has taken out 2,900 summonses for non-payment of Council Tax this year, a 5% rise on last year.

The local authority blames the rise on new welfare reforms which have made many more liable for Council Tax.

A Cheshire East cabinet member for finance, Cllr Peter Raynes, said: "Changes to Council Tax support, enforced as part of the Government's welfare reforms, means there are a large number of people now having to pay Council Tax when they previously had not."

"This is an issue affecting all local authorities. If people are struggling to keep up with their payments, we can consider offering extended instalments, waive costs in isolated circumstances and signpost other financial advice and support."

Cheshire East expects to collect at least 99% of the amount billed in Council Tax , but has a policy of always pursuing 100% collection.

The amount billed to date stands at £203.5m and council figures for collection show the 99% collection rate is on target to be achieved within three years.

The Council Tax rate in Cheshire East was frozen for 2013/2014 at £1,216.34 for a Band D property. Other levies for such items as Parish Councils and Fire and Police services all go to make up the final bill.

Audlem Parish Council is holding a special finance meeting later this month when it expected to set its tax bill for the following year.

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