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You are here: Home > Council and Democracy > Council tax and budget > Payment Information > About final notices

About final notices

This section provides information about final notices which the Council sends to late payers of council tax.

Why has a final notice been issued?

A final notice has been issued because you are shown as the chargepayer and one or more instalments have not been received by the due date – the first of each month.

Billing, collection and recovery of Council Tax is governed by the Local Government Finance Act 1992.

At the beginning of each financial year, every chargepayer is entitled to pay their charge over 10 monthly instalments and the Council sets the date by or on which payments should be made.

If payment is not received by the due date, the Council is required to issue a reminder notice. 

This requires overdue instalments to be paid within 7 days and remaining instalments to be paid on time.

In spite of the previous reminder issued to you, your account does not appear to have been kept up to date.

The Council, therefore, has no alternative but to withdraw your right to pay by instalments and insist that the full balance of your account is paid now.

Failure to do so will result in a summons being issued without further warning, which will incur further costs.

The summons will mean that the Council will be able to apply to the magistrates for a liability order which gives additional powers to collect the debt, such as instructing the bailiff.

What should I do if I consider that I am not liable for these charges?

You should contact the Council Tax section immediately.

What if payment was made recently?

If you have made a payment, which does not appear to have been recorded, then you must inform the Council Tax section immediately.   

Please note that payments made through a bank or post office can take up to 10 days to reach your account, which is why the Council recommends payment by Direct Debit.

What if I want to pay by Direct Debit?

A Direct Debit mandate is enclosed with your final notice. Alternatively, click on the link below:

 I want to download a Direct Debit mandate (pdf). (70.6K)   

Please complete and return it with a cheque to bring your instalments up to date.

If you are not able to bring your instalments up to date it may still be possible to pay by Direct Debit. 

If this is the case please contact the Council Tax section.

What if I have appealed against the banding?

Until the issue of this notice your council tax remained payable in accordance with the instalments detailed on your account even though you may have an appeal outstanding.  

As explained before the whole sum is now due but if, as a result of a successful appeal, you have overpaid the credit may be refunded to you, if required,  or your instalments reduced accordingly.

What if I cannot pay the sum in full within 7 days?

If you cannot pay the sum in full within 7 days please contact the Council Tax section without delay to discuss the matter.

Is there any help available to pay the Council tax?

Please refer to the following sections:

• Council tax benefits
• Discounts on Council tax
• Dwellings exempt from Council tax
• People with disabilities
• Appealing against your Council tax banding      

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