Agenda item

The Cabinet Member with the Efficiency and Resources Portfolio introduced the report of the Managing Director and the Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services (previously circulated) providing an update on the current position on former Housing tenant rent arrears, Housing Benefit overpayments, Non-Domestic Rates and Council Tax, and requesting that consideration be given to the writing off of debts totalling £1,391,772.

The submitted report stated that the write off of former Housing tenant rent arrears totalling £108,994, was being sought in respect of 74 individual cases where arrears exceeded £500 and that it represented 0.47 per cent of the annual rent debit of £23.4M; Housing Benefit overpayments totalling £129,915 was being sought where arrears exceeded £500, which represented 0.36 per cent of the total Housing Benefit Expenditure; and Non-Domestic Rates and Council Tax debts totalling £1,152,863 was being sought in respect of individual cases exceeding £500, which represented 1.31 per cent of the total debit raised.

RESOLVED - That a total amount of £108,994 of former Housing tenant arrears, £129,915 of Housing Benefit overpayments and £1,152,863of Non-Domestic Rates and Council Tax, be written-off, subject to steps for recovery being taken, wherever possible, if and when contact is made.

REASON - As regular arrangements for writing off debts are in accordance with best practice for good financial management.