O/T Council tax

[green hats mate]

Recently a relative got a council tax demand out of the blue for alleged arrears of £640
It took the council 3months to clarify this was a error , in which time they send 3 letters threatening a £47 penalty if not paid .
Today a 74 year old lady phoned me in a distressed state saying a C/Tax demand for alleged arrears of £240 had arrived through the post .   She contacted the council who later admitted is was a error .
Anyone else know of anyone having similar demands ?

[leicester pilgrim]

There is a certain inevitability about this kind of story. The level of cuts that are being imposed on local authorities by central government translates into public sector workers losing their jobs, and others then have to take on additional responsibilities in areas where they're perhaps unfamiliar and less experienced. Mistakes will happen more frequently. That doesn't make it right. But it doesn't necessarily mean it's the council's fault.

[green hats mate]

True LP , but thats little comfort to the pensioner who recieves the bill .

[kingofnaves]

Blame the computer was the old excuse!

[Fairfax]

As a computer specialist of more than 40 years I can tell you that a computer will never make a mistake. If something's wrong then it's in the program, so it the programmer who has made the mistake. The computer is a dumb beast. It does exactly what it is told to do.

[green hats mate]

According to the lady at the council offices she never makes a mistake !!!!!

[kingofnaves]

It must be the councils fault LP! Who else can you blame?

[Myleftfoot]

It must be the councils fault LP! Who else can you blame?

Well you could always look for a solution? 

[York Street Pilgrim]

It must be the councils fault LP! Who else can you blame?

Don't you normally blame the fitness coach?

[green hats mate]

  Just had a letter hand delivered by his staff from Richard Harbord C/E . In my meeting with him he promised this letter for last Friday .  In a chasing phone call to his PA earlier this week she explained the delay was because due to him "having a crisis".
He failed to show any remorse for the 3 months of distress caused and the fact the C/T payer had to lose a days holiday to attend meeting .  
He offered no explanation why his staff acted at such imcompertent level and more disturbing failed to heed MLF suggestion of "finding a solution "
Hopefully the Local Government Ombudsman will give him guidence in the near future .

[Myleftfoot]

 Just had a letter hand delivered by his staff from Richard Harbord C/E . In my meeting with him he promised this letter for last Friday .  In a chasing phone call to his PA earlier this week she explained the delay was because due to him "having a crisis".
He failed to show any remorse for the 3 months of distress caused and the fact the C/T payer had to lose a days holiday to attend meeting .  
He offered no explanation why his staff acted at such imcompertent level and more disturbing failed to heed MLF suggestion of "finding a solution "
Hopefully the Local Government Ombudsman will give him guidence in the near future .

Sorry GHM. Though actually I didn't suggest that to him! I'm not surprised about the "remorse" element. This is subjective and frankly it seems he did not commit the alleged act. Perhaps regret on his part may be appropriate, should he consider it so? Of course we, the audience, are not privy to the full facts, therefore it's best to avoid drawing conclusions?  I don't know, public service is a difficult arena.  

[Myleftfoot]

It must be the councils fault LP! Who else can you blame?

Don't you normally blame the fitness coach?

NICE! 

[kingofnaves]

MyLeftFoot you should get a job at the council! They need intelligent people like you.

[Myleftfoot]

MyLeftFoot you should get a job at the council! They need intelligent people like you.

Aahhhh.......... the nicest thing you've said to me, thanks.   

[kingofnaves]

I would gladly tip you at Xmas when you empty my green bin.