Uttlesford tops table of taxes

A COUNCIL has topped a league table for its performance in collecting taxes from businesses.

Uttlesford District Council (UDC) collected a higher percentage of its business or non-domestic rates in 2008/09 than any other district in Essex.

Chairman of the Finance and Administration Committee, Cllr Robert Chambers, said: "These great results are good news for Uttlesford's residents and businesses, who can be assured that we are generating as much money as possible to be spent on services for local people.

"They also show that non-payment of council tax and non-domestic rates is not an option, and that the council will pursue any businesses or individuals who feel that these taxes should not apply to them."

Of an estimated �32,643,000 of collectable business rates debit for the financial year, Uttlesford District Council collected �32,394,000, or 99.2 per cent of the money it was owed.

The national average for business rates collection is 97.8 per cent.

This money is placed into a central government pool before being redistributed, the vast majority of it making up the annual Formula Grant received by local authorities each year.

UDC also collected more than �49 out of every �50 of council tax it was owed in the last financial year - 98.3 per cent compared to a national average of 97 per cent.

This money will be divided between the district, county, parish and town councils along with the county's police and fire services.

"Despite the national non-domestic rates collection rate average in England and Wales having dropped a percentage point since 2007/08, our figure has stayed at a very high 99.2 per cent," said Cllr Chambers.

"Councillors and council officers will be working hard to ensure that our collection rates for 2009/10 remain at the same level.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of Uttlesford's businesses for being so prompt in your payments, particularly in times of recession such as these.