We have had issues with our direct debit software and have unfortunately been unable to collect council tax direct debits today.
We know this may be an inconvenience and frustration for some of our customers. We apologise for this issue but want to reassure people that we are working hard to fix this.
We expect the system to be up and running soon and should have collected all outstanding payments by the early part of next week.
Our records show you haven't paid the instalments as requested on your bill.
Please contact us immediately, as it may be possible to make alternative arrangements for you to pay.
You have already had at least one reminder notice and have fallen behind again. This means that the full amount outstanding for the year is due; or the amount outstanding is in respect of a previous financial year.
Pay by Direct Debit - join the thousands of Dudley taxpayers who already pay this way.
You have the right to pay by instalments, but if you do not pay every month, and a summons is issued, you lose that right and the full amount outstanding for the year becomes payable immediately.
Costs cover the extra expenses the Council has incurred, such as correspondence, postage and costs payable to the Magistrates' Court.
The Council will apply to the Magistrates' Court for a liability order.
No. Please contact us before the court hearing so a reasonable payment arrangement can be made.
The Council can try to obtain payment by:
instructing enforcement agents (bailiffs)
commencing bankruptcy proceedings
attaching your earnings
deducting money from your income support/jobseekers allowance
requesting information from you concerning your personal circumstances
charging orders
deducting money from your universal credit
The Council can apply to the Court for your committal to prison.
Yes. If you are unable to pay any amount requested from you at any time please contact us immediately. We are always willing to listen, and after considering your financial circumstances, will try to come to a mutually acceptable payment arrangement.
You can write to the enforcement agent direct or use the Council's customer feedback procedure. If you are unhappy with the final outcome, or you feel the Council is taking too long to look into the matter (12 weeks is considered reasonable), you can complain to the Local Government Ombudsman.
Section 13A (1c) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 allows the Council to reduce the amount of Council Tax payable where national discounts and exemptions cannot be applied. When deciding whether to grant a reduction in liability, the Council will consider each application based on individual circumstances, for example grounds of exceptional financial hardship or, through no fault of their own, have experienced a crisis or event that has made their property inhabitable. If you have savings or capital in excess of £3,000 you will not be eligible for the relief:
