Dorset Council pledges to be 'compassionate' when chasing debts

Dorset Council says it will be compassionate when it comes to chasing money it's owed.

Many business rates and council tax payments are said to be running late.

That's being put down to people suffering financial problems and inflation taking its toll.

But there's a warning that some cases could end up in court if payments aren't made.

The authority say they'll go down that route if they have 'no other option'.

Audit and governance committee chairman Cllr Richard Biggs said he hoped for compassion as attempts are made to recover debts:

“It’s a national issue, We want to see a sensitive approach but we do need the debt recovered."

The committee heard that the council has already seen an encouraging response to some of its first reminder letters, but staff know that there are many who will not engage with them until they get a second or third reminder or at the point when court action is threatened.

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