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26

May 2021

Last Updated: 25/05/2021
Politics
Politics

Harrogate council apologises after wrongly threatening council tax payers with court

by Thomas Barrett

| 26 May, 2021
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A Harrogate resident claims Harrogate Borough Council's council tax department has been 'overrun with angry council tax payers' who received letters wrongly threatening them with court action for non-payment. The council has apologised for the error.

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Harrogate Borough Council has apologised for wrongly sending letters to residents threatening them with court action for not paying council tax.

A Harrogate resident, who asked not to be named, alerted the Stray Ferret to the council letter dated May 21.

The letter asked for three months of council tax instalments and threatened a court summons, plus costs, if payment wasn't received by Friday this week.

However, only two months of council tax, April and May, were due by that date, which meant the demand for June's payment was made prematurely.

The source claimed the local authority's council tax department had been "overrun with angry council taxpayers" who had received similar letters.

He described the episode as "an administrative cock-up", adding:

"At a time when many people are struggling financially and being faced with a council tax increase above the rate of inflation, I wonder why Harrogate Borough Council didn't check their facts more carefully before acting in such a heavy-handed way?
"Even if the figures were correct in the first place they should be showing more consideration towards people and trying to help rather than intimidate them."






Read more:




  • Harrogate council backs council tax hike




  • True cost of livestreaming future council meetings revealed








A council spokesman said:

"Unfortunately, residents who receive council tax reminder notices, have this month been issued with the wrong payment figure. It incorrectly included the June instalment figure as well as May.
"Anyone who received this reminder notice will receive a replacement notice in the next couple of days. We’d like to apologise for any confusion or inconvenience this has caused."


The Stray Ferret has asked how many people received the demand for June's payment but the council has so far declined to reveal the information.