If you have received a Reminder but your Council Tax still remains unpaid, the Council will take further recovery action to obtain the money due.

This is done through the Magistrates Court and you will be sent a Summons that will tell you how much money you owe and when the hearing will be.

You will be charged costs of at least £42 for the issue of the summons.

Below you will find a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) relating to summonses and the Court hearing.

Why have you sent me a summons?

The Council has sent you a summons because you have not paid your Council Tax on the due dates.

This means that you lose the right to pay by instalments.

The following information tells you what will happen next and how you can stop the proceedings.

How can I stop the proceedings?

By making a full payment of the Council Tax and costs shown on the summons before the hearing date.

You should send your payment to the Council using the slip provided at the bottom of the summons. If you do this, the case will not be put to the Magistrates and you will not incur any further costs.

What if I have recently applied for benefit, and haven't heard if I qualify for any reduction?

The proceedings will still continue. This is because your must pay the amounts shown on your last bill, until a new bill is sent to you.

Contact the Council before the Court hearing date. They will be able to tell you when your claim should be dealt with, and what will happen next.

What if I have written to the Council about my summons and not had a reply by the hearing date?

The Council makes every effort to answer letters before the hearing but this is not always possible.

Even if you have written to the Council about your summons, they will still apply for a liability order for any amount left unpaid at the date of the hearing.

What if I think the amount shown on the summons is wrong?

Contact the Council before the Court hearing date.

The Court cannot answer any questions you may have about the amount of the Summons, or whether you should be getting a reduction.

What if I can't pay in full?

Council staff can discuss payment with you at any time before the hearing and they may allow you time to pay depending on your circumstances.

The Court cannot discuss payment with you, or decide how much you have to pay.

Please call the number shown on your summons to discuss payment with the Council.

The Citizens Advice Bureau provides a free, impartial debt counselling service. You can contact them on 01502 518510, or through their web site at www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Will I still have to pay additional costs if I make an arrangement to pay before the hearing?

Yes.

The Council will apply for a liability order as explained below under 'What Will Happen At The Hearing" and another £16.00 costs will be added to your liability.

However, the Council will take no further recovery action provided you make payment as agreed.

Do I need to attend court?

No. Only if you wish to put forward a defence against the summons.

One valid defence is that you have already paid the amount shown on the summons. If you paid before the summons was issued, please tell the Council so they can trace your payment and cancel the proceedings.

Another defence is that the Council has not asked you to pay Council Tax according to the Law. The Council is asked to produce evidence at Court to show they have issued the necessary bills and other notices as required by Council Tax law.

If you decide to attend Court, you may have to wait up to 3 hours before your case is dealt with.

What will happen at the hearing?

If you have not paid your summons in full, including the costs, the Council will ask the Magistrates to grant a 'liability order' for the amount unpaid plus a further £16.00 costs.

This will happen whether you attend Court or not.

This liability order allows the Council to take further action to recover the unpaid balance including any costs.

After the hearing, the Council will send you a letter telling you what will happen next and how to avoid further action.

Will the magistrates decide how much I can pay?

No. The Magistrates will only decide whether or not to grant a liability order.

What if I have any other queries?

Please do not write to the Court. The Court cannot help you with any enquiries about your Council Tax.

For further details please use the contact details below:

Email: ct.recovery@waveney.gov.uk  
Telephone: 01502 523278
Fax: 01502 523310
Letter: Waveney District Council (Local Tax), PO Box 96, Lowestoft, NR32 1HW

Top of page