Decision details

To provide a summary of the accounts proposed for write-offs and to request approval for the write-offs.

These debts range from 2012/13 to 2024/25. The debts include Business Rates, Council Tax and Overpaid Housing Benefit

Resolved

(1)          That the write off of debts, as set out in the exempt appendix to the report, where the value is less than £5,000 for Council Tax, less than £5,000 for Overpayment of Housing Benefit and less than £10,000 for Business Rates, where all recovery methods have been exhausted and it be noted that these have been reviewed by the Revenue Services Manager and are available to be reviewed on request.

The Council’s financial procedure rules require that recommended write offs with an outstanding balance of £5,000 and above for Council Tax, Overpayment of Housing Benefit or Sundry Debtors, and £10,000 and above for Business Rates must be approved by the Executive.

There are certain circumstances where it is practically or legally impossible to collect outstanding debts due to the Council. This includes cases where the debtor has gone into liquidation, been declared bankrupt, has died, or has left a property without trace and all reasonable efforts to trace the debtor have proven unsuccessful.

Option 1: To not write off the debt. This old and irrecoverable debt places additional administration on the team as periodically, it is required to be reviewed and pursued. By writing off the debt, more time will be able to be focussed on reviewing debt that is more likely to be recoverable.

None