The level of Council tax collection in South Ayrshire has reached an all-time high – with 94.85% of the amount billed for the year which ended on March 31, 2006, being collected within the actual 12 months.

Acknowledging the action of the vast majority of Council tax-payers who pay their Council tax on time, Councillor Gibson T. Macdonald, Leader of South Ayrshire Council said: “The collection figure has improved year on year and is now at the highest level ever achieved in South Ayrshire.

“It is a tribute to the Council tax payers themselves, and to the Finance Department staff whose duty it is to undertake the collection.”

A report to the Council’s Policy and Resources Committee on Resource Management, of which Councillor Macdonald is the Convener explains that the rate of collection - 94.85% - had exceeded a target collection figure of 94.40%.

Explained Councillor Macdonald: “This effectively means that, within the year in which the Council tax was billed, the Council received payments totalling £204,000 more than had been set as a target figure for collection.”

And Councillor Macdonald pointed out: “Lest anyone misconstrues these figures, I would like to point out that the collection rate reflects what is actually collected during the year in which the Council tax is billed. The figures do not take into account any form of late payments, or collection or recovery of Council tax beyond the end of the year.

“The Council continues to rigorously pursue any Council tax which is owed to the Council and which remains unpaid at the end of any financial year.  Each year there is always an element of Council tax income which is judged to be collectable in future years. The Council uses every legal option and opportunity to recover money owed, including all penalties incurred for late payment.

“It is important, however, that as much money that is owed to us is collected within the year in which it is billed.  My congratulations go to the Financial Services staff for their efforts. We owe it to all of our Council Tax payers to ensure that the Council does what it can to achieve the best value possible in collecting the tax.”

The Sub-Committee also decided to continue to improve “in year” collection levels during 2006/07 by introducing a combined reminder/final notice for issue in mid-May 2006, with any resultant warrant notices to be issued in June.

And the meeting gave a go-ahead to a proposal to bring South Ayrshire Council into line with other councils in Scotland and have the due dates for collection of council tax changed.

At present Council tax is payable to South Ayrshire Council by 10 monthly instalments from May to February inclusive.

May 2006