n the first quarter of 2014 (April June) the Revenue and Benefits Service at Havant Borough Council has had 10 suspended prison sentences raised against residents who have failed to pay their Council Tax. This is in addition to a further 27 outstanding suspended prison sentences currently in place and a prison sentence of 28 days placed in February 2014 against a resident who failed to pay a 3000 Council Tax debt.
Efforts to collect unpaid Council Tax will often involve the use of Enforcement Agents or attachment to a residents earnings or benefits with legal action following where no progress is being made. Custodial or suspended sentences are usually the last resort.
Mike Ball Service Manager for Revenues and Benefits said: Havant Borough Council is entirely committed to pursuing persistent debtors and will use any remedy available in law including applications for committal to prison.
The council would always prefer to deal with these matters without resorting to court action but if we are unable to collect the charge through all other means legal action will be taken which could result in a prison sentence.
The councils Revenues and Benefits Service is in court weekly pursuing Council Tax collection via committal orders.
