If you are going to have difficulties paying an instalment on time please let us know (see How to contact us) as we may be able to help. If you tell us early enough we may be able to re-schedule instalments. But, please remember, there are no magic solutions – the debt will have to be paid. By not paying, or paying late, you are increasing the costs of collecting the tax which means an increased cost to the Council - which means, of course, a cost to other Council Tax payers.

If you have other debts besides Council Tax, and are experiencing difficulties, you may well benefit from impartial, independent advice. This is available, free of charge, from the Citizens Advice Bureau - they are experts in this field and can offer assistance. Go to: www.southhamscab.org.uk.  Or visit the National Debtline website for free confidential and independant advice on how to deal with debt problems.

If you want to know what will happen if you don’t contact us and don’t pay, go to the list on the left to see details on the different stages of the recovery process and what they mean.