Issue - meetings

To seek approval for the write off of uncollectable debt (report of the Portfolio Holder for Finance is 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Please note that the appendices associated with this report are not for publication by virtue of Paragraphs 1 (Information relating to any individual), 2 (Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual) and 3 (Information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 12).

Consideration was given to the report of the Portfolio Holder for Finance and the Executive Director Commercialisation (S151) which sought approval for the write off of uncollectable Business Rates debt.

Members noted that the report contained details of individual debts within the confidential appendices (Appendix A – Business Rates Debts).  A copy of the Operational Debt Write Off Policy was also provided at Appendix B.  These appendices were not for publication by virtue of Paragraphs 1 (Information relating to any individual), 2 (Information which is likely to reveal the identity of any individual) and 3 (Information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)).

It was agreed that the content of the appendices be discussed in more detail  in private session.

DECISION:

a)    That the following debt be written off:

·         Business Rates - £127,481.26

b)    That the amounts written off under delegated powers be noted.             

(Other options considered:

·      To do nothing.

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.)