Missing council tax payments increasing in Rutland
Figures seen by us show a year-on-year increase since 2020 in people missing payments
Last updated 17th Oct 2023
Figures seen by Greatest Hits Radio show the number of people missing their council tax payments in Rutland has increased every since 2020, and is on track to increase again this year.
A Freedom of Information Request shows the following number of people were sent final reminders for missed council tax payments since 2018:
- 2018 - 1307
- 2019 - 1193
- 2020 - 0 (payments put on hold during covid)
- 2021 - 1454
- 2022 - 1830
- 2023 (to date) 1507
Rutland has one of the highest council taxes in the UK.
Rutland County Council says council tax recovery was put on hold during covid in 2020.
They have since returned to the usual collection timescales.
In response to residents' concerns about council tax being too high, Rutland County Council said:
‘The current government funding formula for local authorities compounds historic inequalities in the way councils have been funded over many years.
‘Based on nationally published Core Spending Power figures, Rutland County Council receives £504 of government funding per household, compared to the national average of £1,019. Because of this, Council Tax makes up 78% of Rutland’s Core Spending Power. Nationally, other authorities rely on Council Tax for around 57% of their Core Spending Power.
‘This is why our rates are higher than other areas and why we continue to call for fairer funding for all councils.