FOI Request - Payment Arrears

Request 101002755131

For all questions, we would like the responses that relate to the latest figures that you have available (please state the date period in your response) and, ideally, the preceding 12 months.
How many people/households are in arears with:
•         Council Tax
•         Rent
•         Other payments owed (please specify)
How much is the overdue debt to the council from:
•         Individual households
•         Businesses
What is the annual cost of pursuing arears with:
•         Letters
•         Calls
•         Legal action (internal costs)
•         Legal action (external costs)
•         Debt Collectors / Bailiffs
•         Bad debt write-off
•         Other (please specify)
What is the annual spend on interventions resulting from evictions and repossessions:
•         Emergency housing
•         Emergency grants
•         Other (please specify)
Has the Council measured the relationship between evictions & repossessions and increased costs (if so please provide whatever data is available) for:
•         The criminal justice system
•         The health service
•         Social Care
•         Mental Health
•         Other (please specify)
How many evictions for debt have been initiated by the Council?
Does the Council seek custodial sentences for non-payment of debts?
Which department at the Council is concerned with supporting the financial wellbeing of residents?
•         Department name
•         Department email
•         Named contact (if available)

Clarification [sought by another council]:

Q: In respect of Council Tax and Business Rates what do you mean by ‘arrears’.  For example in relation to Council Tax is it a debt at final notice, Summons or where a  liability order has been issued?  Please clarify.

A: We would like to know how much debt is overdue i.e. the amount owed to the Council that is past the date by which it should have been settled.

Q: For all debt/arrears, please be aware that we can only provide the number of accounts and not the number of people/households.   Please clarify that this is understood?

A: Yes, that’s understood

Response 15-04-2021

1. Council Tax – In accordance with section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 we can confirm that this information is not held.
Rent – current tenants at 04/04/21 1266, former tenants as at 04/04/21 170  
Sundry debt - please find this information attached here

2. Individual households Housing (rent): current & former as at 04/04/21 £656089
Taxation: at 31 March 2021, the total of unpaid Council Tax due to Moray Council was £16.043M
Businesses - Taxation: at 31 March 2021, the total of unpaid Non-Domestic Rates due to Moray Council was £5.186M

3.  Letters-  In accordance with section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 we can confirm that this information is not held.         
Calls - In accordance with section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 we can confirm that this information is not held.
Legal action (internal costs)  -  In accordance with section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 we can confirm that this information is not held.
Legal action (external costs) -  Housing: 2020/21, no court lodging fees
Taxation: In accordance with section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 we can confirm that this information is not held.
Debt Collectors / Bailiffs - Housing: 2020/21 £670.65 (budget code 40650 0231 9999)
Taxation: In accordance with section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 we can confirm that this information is not held.
Bad debt write-off - Housing:  2020/21 £54343.15
Taxation: In accordance with section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 we can confirm that this information is not held.

4. In accordance with section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 we can confirm that this information is not held.

5. No

6. None in last 12 months

7. Housing: No
Taxation:  In regard to unpaid Council Tax, there is no power within Scots law to imprison a Council Tax debtor;

8. This information is available on the Council’s website and is therefore exempt under section 25 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, information otherwise accessible. For ease of reference please find use the following links: 

Money Advice Service
Housing Support

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