Issue - meetings

To seek approval for the write off of uncollectable debt (report of the Portfolio Holder Finance enclosed).

Please note that the appendices associated with this report are not for publication by virtue of Paragraphs 1 (Information relating to any individual), 2 (Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual) and 3 (Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)) in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, and are therefore attached to this agenda as item 17).

Consideration was given to the report of the Portfolio Holder, Finance which sought approval for the write off of uncollectable debt. 

Members noted that the report contained details of individual debts within the confidential appendices (Appendix A – Council Tax and Appendix B – Business Rates).  A copy of the Operational Debt Write-Off Policy was also provided for reference at Appendix C.  These appendices were not for publication by virtue of Paragraphs 1 (Information relating to any individual), 2 (Information which is likely to reveal the identity of any individual) and 3 (Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Members agreed that only the principles of the report would be discussed and there was therefore no need for the meeting to go into private session.

DECISION:

That the following debts be written off:

Council Tax                                                    £2,360.36

Business Rates                                             £2,848.24

Total:                                                                £5,208.60

(Other options considered:

·         Do nothing; or

·         Approve the recommendations with amendments

Reasons for decision:

·         All recovery methods available had been considered and where appropriate pursued before making the decision to write off;

·         Officer time can be maximised on greatest returns, at the same time as ensuring robust procedures for debt management are in place across all revenue streams.)