MP intervenes in row over council tax direct debits

Graham Stuart, MP for Beverley and Holderness, says council tax collection dates should be flexible so as not to hit those struggling to pay on the first of each month.

He said: "This is the third year in which I have made representations to the council to change this rule which is inflexible and unfair.

"Sadly, the council has refused to listen and has put its own bureaucratic convenience ahead of service to the public."

"Those who are struggling to pay their council tax are the most likely to get caught out and then be forced to pay the whole thing up front.

"It is uncharacteristic of the council but, in this case, it is wrong and stubbornly wrong at that."

The first of the month rule applies to households which elect to pay their council tax by cash or cheque rather than using direct debit.

More than 11,000 East Riding householders in 8,072 homes have been hit with court summonses for late payment of council tax in the past seven months.

After being contacted by a Beverley resident, Mr Stuart has written to East Riding Council calling for the rule to be changed. It follows the case of retired ambulance driver Ian Grant 68, from Poplar Drive, Beverley, who was hauled before Beverley Magistrates' Court in October.

He refused to pay by direct debit and ended up getting a final demand for the full annual amount, and a court summons.

An East Riding of Yorkshire Council spokesman said one of the reasons they had been able to peg council tax this year was savings on collections with 70 per cent paying by direct debit.

He added: "For those residents who choose to pay by other means, instalments are due on the first day of each month. Council tax legislation provides local authorities with the discretion to decide which months and the day within the months that council tax is payable, provided instalments are spread over 10 consecutive months.

"Payment on the first of the month is not a new policy, notice was given of the change through East Riding News during September – November 2007 to enable customers to make provision within their own household budgets."