unpaid council tax

A self employed father from Brent narrowly escaped prison on Tuesday (3 August 2010) for refusing to pay his council tax.

Council tax debtor Lawrence Toussaint, of Ecclestone Place, Wembley, “buried his head in the sand” and failed to pay his council tax for a number of years.

Brent Council made several attempts to recover the money – including calling in the bailiffs. But Mr Toussaint still refused to pay up and Brent Council took him to court. Brent Magistrates court decided that he was guilty of “culpable neglect” in not paying his Council Tax and sentenced him to eight weeks imprisonment - suspended for two years. He now must pay the £5,360.15 arrears in monthly instalments, failure to pay these will result in prison.

Cllr Muhammed Butt, Lead Member for Resources, said: “The council will relentlessly pursue non-payers and - if no other methods of recovery are available - we will not hesitate to push for a custodial sentence.”

“I would urge anyone in arrears to contact us or they too may face a prison sentence.”

Brent spends around £900 million each year. This pays for 83 schools and the up-keep and cleaning of 477 kilometres of roads and pavements, as well as funding 100 parks and open spaces. Twelve libraries are paid for out of the money, along with four sports centres and the weekly rubbish collection from 107,000 households.

Approximately 11 percent of the £900 million spent each year is raised through council tax. The vast majority of the remainder comes from government grants plus charges that are paid directly by service users for use of sports facilities, parking, home help and meals on wheels. But with the recession increasing the pressure on public services and public spending councils are under greater pressure to collect what's owed and make significant savings as well.

Independent debt advisors recommend payment of council tax should rank behind only mortgage or rental payments. Mr Toussaint was paying other debts that he could have agreed reduced payments.

For more information on council tax call 0208 937 1790 For debt advice contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau or Nation Debtline.