Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director Resources and Governance

The Cabinet Member with the Resources Portfolio introduced the report (previously circulated) of the Executive Director of Resources and Governance providing Members with an update on the collection of Council Tax, Business Rates and Council rents during 2024/25 and requesting that consideration be given to the writing-off of debts over £1,000 that are considered to be irrecoverable.

The submitted report stated that the collection of Council Tax, Business Rates and Council rents during 2024/25 had continued to be a significant challenge due to the current economic climate; despite the challenges, a total of £143.45M had been collected in 2024/25; and that approval was being sought to write-off a total of £1,226,320 of debts in respect of individual cases exceeding £1,000 for the financial year 2024/25, where it had become apparent that no further steps could be taken to recover the sums due.

RESOLVED - It is recommended that Cabinet:

(a)    Consider the contents of the report, and

(b)   Approve the write-off of £1,226,320 for debts over £1,000, subject to further steps for recovery being taken, wherever possible, if and when contact with the debtor is made.

REASON - The recommendations are supported by the following reasons:

(a)    The collection of Council Tax, Business Rates and Council rents underpins the Council’s MTFP.

(b)   The write-off of irrecoverable debts enables the Council’s accounts to be maintained in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules