Issue - meetings

To consider the action taken by Officers with respect to the write off of debts during the first quarter of 2012/13 and to note the profile of outstanding debt.

(Report attached)

[The report may contain exempt information as defined in S.100 of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006, as they may contain information relating to:

·        Information relating to any individual;

·        Information which is likely to reveal the identity of any individual;

·        The financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Members considered a report which detailed the action taken by Officers with respect to the write-off of debts during the first quarter of 2012/13 and the profile and level of the outstanding debt.  The Committee was advised that the Council’s current level of bad debt provisions were adequate in relation to the level of write offs as well as the level of outstanding debt. 

Figures had been provided for the level of Council Tax Rent Arrears that had accrued since 1996/97.  Concerns were expressed that these arrears appeared to be increasing at a level of 2.5 per cent per year.  However, Members were assured that money continued to be collected and the debts were decreasing over time.

A summary had also been provided of the total business rate arrears due to the Council by June 2012.  This table contained a comparison of the arrears due between 2000/01 and 2012/13, which clearly demonstrated that there was no standard pattern in the total due to the Council.  Officers explained that the figures for business rent arrears varied significantly because business rates varied according to the size of the property.

RESOLVED that

1)           the debts detailed in the confidential appendices be written off; and

2)           the contents of the report be noted.

[During consideration of this item Members discussed matters that necessitated the disclosure of exempt information. It was therefore agreed to exclude the press and public prior to any debate on the grounds that information would be revealed relating to any individual, information would be revealed which was likely to reveal the identity of any individual and information would be revealed relating to the financial or business affairs of a particular person (including the authority holding that information).]