Authority writes off debts from decade ago

Figures to be discussed by Kirklees councillors today show that £7.4m of debt was written off in 2013/14, which is less than the £8.1m written off the previous year.

This year’s figures include a relatively large amount of housing rent debt.

The total housing revenue written off amounts to almost £4.5m, according to a report to be discussed today by members of the council’s Cabinet committee.

The figure for the previous year was just over £2m.

The report says the actual amount of housing revenue written off is “exceptional in that it represents an accumulation of really old former tenant debt from up to 10 years previous, and following an extensive review of this debt, it has now been processed for write-off.”

The council says it uses all its powers in an attempt to recover money owed.

“The council will use all the powers available to recover any amounts outstanding and this ensures all debts are pursued to maximise recovery.”

Income collection rates in Kirklees have remained fairly steady for rents at around 97 per cent.

Collection rates for council tax have fallen from 96 per cent in 2012-13 to 93.5 per cent in 2013/14.

The amount of council tax debt written off was almost £1.5m in the last year.

The report notes: “The figures for council tax and business rates demonstrate how important it is for everyone to pay their share of the council tax to help fund essential services.”

It said there “will always be a minority” who fail to pay.