IS the taxman coming for you?

Cheshire West and Chester Council applied for 1,586 council tax liability orders to be granted by Chester Magistrates Court on Thursday, August 23.

The orders are issued to allow councils to use their powers of enforcement to collect tax which has remained unpaid 14 days after a reminder has been issued, or seven days after a final notice has been issued.

Many of the outstanding tax bills have now been paid off – leaving CWAC to chase up 969 people who are yet to pay their tax.

Cllr David Armstrong, cabinet member for legal and finance, said: "We have over 157,000 council taxpayers and our in year collection rate is very successful – in excess of 97 per cent.

"As council tax is payable in monthly instalments, we have a regular cycle of issuing reminders and applying for liability orders.

"Out of the 1,586 cases listed at the hearing on August 23, 1,346 were related to council tax, 197 to Business Improvement District levies and 43 to business rates.

"As often happens, a significant number of payments have been received and this figure has now reduced to 969."

Anyone who is having difficulty paying a council tax bill should let CWAC know as soon as possible by emailing counciltax@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk or calling 0300 123 8123.

Alternatively, independent support and advice on council tax arrears is available from Citizens' Advice in Meadow Street, Northwich and Wyvern House, Winsford.