Council tax collection at a 10 year high

Council tax collection in Inverclyde has hit a ten year high.

The Council has reported in-year council tax collection as 94.8%. This is the amount of Council Tax collected by the end of the billing year, as a percentage of the total billed Council Tax.

The final collection rate for the last financial year will be higher after it takes account of payments made after 1 April 2015.

Inverclyde Council’s collection rate for 2014/15, is at its highest level in Inverclyde for 10 years and has increased from 91.9%.

Council bosses are encouraging more residents to pay their council tax through direct debit to make sure they don’t fall into debt.

Inverclyde Council leader, Councillor Stephen McCabe, said: “The Council Tax pays for essential local services we all use including schools; refuse collection and roads. Maximising the amount of collection received during the year is absolutely crucial to making sure that Council services are delivered.  The year on year increases in Council Tax collection rates are testimony to sound financial management and ensuring that residents have every opportunity to make sure they can pay their bills easily and quickly. I would urge more residents to use easy payment methods such as direct debit for paying bills like the Council Tax. It’s easy to set up and can be a help in managing your money and avoiding getting behind and in debt.”

In addition to direct debit, Council Tax can also be paid online through the Council website, by barcoded bill or payment card at paypoint sites in Post Offices or at the Council’s Customer Service Centre and by phone to the automated payment line on 0845 309 6062 (24 hours) or 01475 712590 (office hours).

The news on Council Tax collections comes just a week after the Council issued its response to the national Commission on tax raising powers calling for a modified Council Tax system to be used but made fairer.

The Council submission to the Commission on Local Tax Reform urged them to retain a modified Council Tax system believing that this will provide continuity and minimise disruption.

Inverclyde’s Council Leader, Councillor Stephen McCabe, has written on behalf of the Council to the Commission which has been created by the Scottish Parliament’s local government committee to examine alternative systems of local taxation.

He called for an increase in Council Tax bands at the upper and lower ends to make the Council Tax system fairer.

In the response, Councillor McCabe also pointed out that increased Council Tax collection rates show that it is widely accepted with a very high level of payment.

Inverclyde’s in-year Council Tax collection rates over the past ten years are:

 

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

2008-09

2009-10

2010-11

2011-12

2012-13

2013-14

2014-15

Inverclyde

91.9%

93.1%

93.5%

93.3%

93.7%

94%

94.2%

94.2%

94.5%

94.8%