Landscape gardener jailed for non-payment of council tax

“by how_v_dare_u


"Which department of made-up statistics did these figures come from then?"



Page 9, Column 44 (Number of summons issued) of this document:

http://tinyurl.com/8ocfsn7”

“Well you can shove a glass in someone face, and scar them for life, as did Michela Andrade and NOT get a jail sentence. But god help you if you don't pay the taxman. Straight to jail, do not pass go !!”

“by windcube

"...Figures show that for 2011-12 there were 2,398 summons issued.."


Which department of made-up statistics did these figures come from then?”

“NibNobs,

That makes complete sense to the average person. The problem is it doesn't work like that in local government, as far as budgets and balance sheets are concerned.

Councils haven't the ability to view the overall picture. If implemented, the savings brought by yours and raiderman's suggestion would not impact on the council tax accounts, so the respective department wouldn't have the incentive to save money for another's budget while not improving its own performance.

In a previous post windcube mentioned the Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992. I should think the options available to the council for punishing non-payers will be stated in those regulations and to stray from the specific steps dictated would open the council to legal challenge.”

“raiderman is spot on.

A large number of hours on a community service order would have been far better as with his garden landscaping skills he would be directly paying the council back with free labour, I went to Archway dentists in Stroud yesterday and walking along London Road there were plenty of areas that are in desperate need of clearing up! What use to the council or community is locking him up for a few weeks...daft!”

“The solution for all you tax dodgers, if you want to avoid the bailiffs, is to simply pay your council tax, just like the majority of law abiding residents.

Do you think any of the law abiding residents who do pay their way are likely to give a damn which methods the council employs to collect money from non-payers?

Why should you be allowed a free ride?

Do you not use the services offered by the council, or have your bins emptied, streets swept and roads maintained?

Each person who dodges their tax, adds to everybody else's CT bill. If you all paid, all of our bills would be less.”

“Isn't it funny how judges are so keen to send people to prison for non violent tax avoidance crimes when they routinely give violent criminals either suspended or very short sentences?

But then again, prison doesn't deter violent criminals but the thought of a prison sentence might make a council tax avoider pay up thereby creating more money for the government.

Birth, school, work, death. Your government wants you to work and pay tax until the day you retire and drop dead the next day. Your wellbeing and a fair judicial service are of no importance to them.”

“Private bailiff firms contracted to councils, are defrauding members of the public with no opposition from the Government, Local Authorities or the Police.

Local news papers will not, for whatever reason, report on this serious issue. They are failing in their duty to raise awareness for the many thousands of victims involved.

It seems these crimes will remain covered-up if left to the local press. It therefore must be tackled by members of the public who are prepared to expose our corrupt councils.


Have you been charged Unfair and Hiked-up Enforcement fees by Stroud District Council's bailiff contractors Bri.s.tow & S.u.tor?

This would be in connection with either alleged or actual council tax arrears.

Does the council state that they are lawful?

Does the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) also state they are lawful?

You can enquire by contacting the following email for a second, more seriously considered opinion:

nelc.bailiffs@talktalk.net

Alternatively or additionally you can register with the following advice website where free guidance can be sought which may potentially save you £hundreds in charges:

http://tinyurl.com/7jppcez



The following link features crooked private bailiff firm,"E.qu',it'a", detailing a complainant's successful re-claim of nearly £400 of unlawful bailiff fees.

Post #45 of this link. The council also offered money for the complainant not to pursue the complaint further.

http://tinyurl.com/d49k74g”

“by Walker100

You have made, what on the face of it, seems to be a good assessment of the situation.

I can't agree with your opinion though that the debt has to be collected from those that do pay. If you look at how much money is collected through court costs, for example the £50 penalty which Stroud District Council charge for issuing a summons. Figures show that for 2011-12 there were 2,398 summons issued. These are issued in accordance with the Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992 and will include – among very few non-payers – many who have been late with an odd payment or two and are by no means non-payers. However, the figures quoted for Stroud District Council are unusually low. Councils typically rake in much more than this, for example the £50 charge for issuing summonses is often well over £100 for many councils.

The 2,398 quoted annually for Stroud will typically be a monthly figure for more profiteering councils.”

“So the debt will now be written off and it will cost a great deal more money to keep the guy prison. How much simpler it would be if the judge had had the power to order Mr Long to work off the debt by digging out a stretch of the Severn-Thames canal with a pick and a shovel.”