Issue - meetings

Reporting Person – Eugene Walker

Members were advised, that under Financial Regulation 12.14, the write off of any debt over £10,000 had to be authorised by the Executive.  A small number of council tax, business rates and sundry debts had been identified as irrecoverable and were now before the Executive.  Councillor Roberts, Portfolio Holder for Finance, confirmed that debts were only recommended for write off when there was no possibility that the income could be recovered. 

The Portfolio Holder advised that the largest business rates item related to Twisted Stone, a company dissolved in 2022, that operated a golf course in Pyrford.  The Executive heard that it was understood that a new business was operating on the same site and had become liable for business rates from August 2022.  It was noted that the Council was taking all the proper steps to pursue the liability for that business for business rates.  The Executive was encouraged that the business rate collection was typically 98%.

Following a question, it was confirmed that individual names would not be disclosed due to GDPR regulations however company names could be disclosed.  Officers would check for discrepancies in future reports.

RESOLVEd

That the debts listed in Appendix 1 to the report be written off.

Reason:   To write off debts over £10,000.