£2.5million Council Tax Uncollected

Figures compiled by the GMB, a public services union, reveal that £147 million of council tax went uncollected in councils across London in 2006/07.

In respect of Havering council, the amount uncollected in 2006/07 amounted to £2,569,000, a £624,000 reduction against the figure outstanding for 2005/06.

However, the overall accumulated council tax debt for Havering at the end of 2006/07 amounts to £11,526,000, an increase of £321,000 on the 2005/06 figure.

The Council tax collection rate for Havering in 2006/07 was 97.6 per cent (97.5 per cent in 2005/06), this compares with table toppers Richmond Upon Thames at 98.5 per cent and bottom of the table Hackney with 90.5 per cent.

The calculation of the Council tax allows for a 1.5 per cent non-collection rate.

Despite this amount of money outstanding, it has not stopped the Tory Controlled Council spending over £400k on a new car park for the Town Hall, increase in Cabinet Members allowances, Mayors Allowance (suggested in the local press for an increase to their clothing allowance). All of this and almost £11 million outstanding in debt owed to the Council.