Council called on bailiffs more than 7,000 times for tax debts
Cannock Chase Council instructed bailiffs more than 7,000 times in under five years to collect debts owed by individuals and businesses, new figures have revealed.
According to a Freedom of Information request, the council handed over 14,303 council tax cases to bailiffs since January 2011, of which 6,819 were visited.
In the same period, 1,122 cases of businesses owing rates to the council were passed over, of which 386 were visited.
The figures come after bosses brought in a crackdown last year on unpaid rates.
At present, more than £7 million is being chased in council tax and business rates.
As of November 25, 368 companies owed the council a total of £1,532,635, while 10,030 council tax payers owe £5,537,328.
Councillor George Adamson, leader of Cannock Chase District Council, said: "If people are in genuine need of help and can't pay their council tax then we will always seek to help them.
"However, if it is a case of people avoiding paying tax then we will come down hard on them.
"We have a tough stance on this because it is unfair on people who do pay their taxes and business rates if others aren't.
"Our business rate collections will improve next year, I have been told, as it did last year.
"Our council tax payment rate improved last year and I have been told it will go up again."
Under the new enforcement policies introduced in November last year to help with debt collection, it was decided that action was needed to address individuals and companies who regularly defaulted on their bills, ran up large debts and tried to avoid their debts being recovered.
A new monthly review system was also introduced to help the council keep on top of unpaid council tax and business rates, while it also started to use legal powers it previously hadn't to chase up debts.
The bankruptcy, insolvency and charging order policy has seen the council partner with an insolvency firm to process bankruptcy cases.
One individual has been made personally bankrupt and nine companies wound up as a result of the applications.
Earlier this year, bosses announced that council tax and rent will both be frozen in Cannock for the first time in more than 20 years, in an effort to help families in the area.
