Issue - meetings

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Direction).

The Executive received a report detailing recommended write-off of debts over £10,000 in respect of outstanding business rates. The report also detailed business rate, council tax and housing benefit overpayment debts written off under delegated authority. In response to a member’s question, it was noted that following a debt write-off, should the debtor be tracked down, the debt could be re-instated, however many business rate debts were due to companies going into administration. It was further noted that whilst the authority’s debt collection rates were similar to other authorities, the amount of debt written off was comparatively low. On the motion of Councillor Lynch, seconded by Councillor Crooks, it was

RESOLVED –

(i)         the two business rate write-offs of £26,628.35 and £27,567.82 be approved;

(ii)        the sums written off under delegated powers be noted;

(iii)       officers be congratulated for their high collection rate in relation to amounts written off.