Basildon council's aggressive tactics in council tax recovery

Labour in Pitsea today talking to local residents

LABOUR PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATE ACCUSES BASILDON COUNCIL OF AGGRESSIVE TACTICS IN RECOVERY OF COUNCIL TAX

My latest press release regarding council tax benefit cuts in Basildon:

COUNCIL SENDS IN THE BAILIFFS TO RECOVER MONEY FROM DISABLED RESIDENTS FOR NEW "POLL-TAX" (FOI info below)

Labour’s parliamentary candidate for South Basildon and East Thurrock, Mike Le-Surf, has criticised Basildon Council’s aggressive tactics in the recovery of council tax from disabled residents.

Of the 1137 residents in the borough with disabilities and falling into arrears, 916 have had summons issued against them since last April.

Of those paying increased council tax or council tax for the first time, Basildon Council have instructed bailiffs to recover money from 123 residents with disabilities.

Mr. Le-Surf said: “This is a disgrace. It is bad enough that Basildon Council has to implement these heavy cuts passed down from central government but sending in the bailiffs is both aggressive and unnecessary. Many people with disabilities have had to pay council tax for the first time at an average amount of around £180. They should be offered support not issed with a summons and face the bailiffs.”
“Last year I marched with residents through the town against the cuts to hot meals at day services for the elderly. This year we are seeing the Basildon Tories once again attacking the vulnerable and pushing people further into hardship.”

 "I plan to meet with members of the Basildon Disability Forum next week to discuss the issues raised and hear from local residents who are affected by this policy."

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FOI information received from Basildon Council

 

1. How many people are paying a) increased council tax or b) council tax for the first time since April this year as a result of the change from a national council tax benefit scheme to a localised council tax support scheme? 

 

increased council tax	council tax for the first time
2730	7505

                                                                                                                            

2. On average, how much more were the following classes of individual billed for Council taxes for the whole of this financial year: those paying a) increased council tax or b) council tax for the first time since April this year as a result of the change from a national council tax benefit scheme to a localised council tax support scheme?

 

increased council tax	council tax for the first time
£256.75	£184.07

 

3. On average, how much more were the following classes of individual billed for Council taxes for the whole of this financial year:

 

(a) registered carers,	unknown
(b) someone in receipt of disability-related benefits	£184.41
(c) in receipt of a War Disablement Pension	£181.77
(d) a War Widow's or Widower's pension	n/a
(e) a single parent	£205.09
(f) in work	£242.04

 

 

 

 

4. Of those people paying increased council tax or council tax for the first time, how many are in arrears, including a breakdown of how many of these are

 

(a) registered carers,	unknown
(b) someone in receipt of disability-related benefits	1137
(c) in receipt of a War Disablement Pension	0
(d) a War Widow's or Widower's pension	n/a
(e) a single parent	1508
(f) in work	714

 

 

5. Of those paying increased council tax or council tax for the first time, how many have had a summons issued against them since April 1 2013, including a breakdown of how many of these are

 

(a) registered carers,	unknown
(b) someone in receipt of disability-related benefits	916
(c) in receipt of a War Disablement Pension	0
(d) a War Widow's or Widower's pension	n/a
(e) a single parent	1250
(f) in work	581

 

6. Of those paying increased council tax or council tax for the first time, how many have had a Liability Order issued against them since April 1 2013, including a breakdown of how many of these are

 

(a) registered carers,	unknown
(b) someone in receipt of disability-related benefits	882
(c) in receipt of a War Disablement Pension	0
(d) a War Widow's or Widower's pension	n/a
(e) a single parent	1200
(f) in work	546

 

7. Of those paying increased council tax or council tax for the first time, how many people have you instructed bailiffs to recover money from since April 1 2013, including a breakdown of how many of these are

 

(a) registered carers,	unknown
(b) someone in receipt of disability-related benefits	123
(c) in receipt of a War Disablement Pension	0
(d) a War Widow's or Widower's pension	n/a
(e) a single parent	156
(f) in work	112

 

8. Of those paying increased council tax or council tax for the first time, for how many have you applied for a Committal Warrant since April 1 2013, including a breakdown of how many of these are

 

(a) registered carers,	unknown
(b) someone in receipt of disability-related benefits	0
(c) in receipt of a War Disablement Pension	0
(d) a War Widow's or Widower's pension	n/a
(e) a single parent	0
(f) in work	0

 

 

9. Of those paying increased council tax or council tax for the first time, have any individuals been sentenced to detention in prison, including a breakdown of how many of these are

 

                                                          

(a) registered carers,	unknown
(b) someone in receipt of disability-related benefits	0
(c) in receipt of a War Disablement Pension	0
(d) a War Widow's or Widower's pension	n/a
(e) a single parent	0
(f) in work	0