If you are unlikely to be able to make your payment on time it is vital that you contact us immediately to discuss the matter and come to an alternative arrangement, otherwise recovery action as described below will commence.

If payment is not received in accordance with the invoice, a Reminder Notice will be issued asking for payment of the balance due.

If payment in accordance with the Reminder Notice is not received, a Seven Day Letter will be issued, again requiring payment of the full remaining balance.

If payment in accordance with the Seven Day Letter is not received, consideration will be given as to whether to pass the debt to the Council's Legal Section, to pursue the matter through the County Court, or send a further reminder.

If the matter is passed to the Council's Legal Section, this will incur the debtor in court fees and fixed costs as allowed by the Court and may lead to a County Court Judgment. This would then enable the Council (in some cases by going back to the County Court) to use other methods to collect the debt - such as the use of County Court Bailiffs, freezing of assets and bank accounts, charging orders, bankruptcy, attachments of earnings etc.

We aim to collect all monies due to the council as efficiently and effectively as possible and, in the interests of the local taxpayer, are prepared to employ solicitors in foreign countries to pursue debts through their legal system if necessary.