“Council tax is rarely on the list of people's favourite things", admits Burke...

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But H&F has one of the highest collection rates by taking evaders to court

Official figures released this week by the Office for the Deputy Prime Minister show that the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham (LBHF) is one of the best local authorities when it comes to collecting council tax. The national league tables show LBHF up to second highest in inner London with a collection rate of over 95%.

This figure compares well with neighbouring boroughs and is down to the streamlined and convenient payment methods available to local taxpayers. The council is continuing to clamp down on non-payment by taking tax evaders to court and this is one of the reasons for the continued improvement in Hammersmith & Fulham’s council tax collection figures.

Council leader Cllr Stephen Burke said: “Paying council tax is rarely on the list of people’s favourite things to do but our efficient service makes it as painless as possible. High council tax collection rates are good for residents because they help us keep taxation down and are fair to everyone.”

LBHF has a long history of low council tax rises with this year’s rise of 1.5% well below inflation, a cut in real terms, while spending has increased on services such as street cleaning and schools. Improved efficiency means that the council has been able to keep council tax down and improving the rate of council tax collections is an example of this.

Cllr Burke continues: “Hammersmith & Fulham has a low council tax and we are getting lower. When there are poor council tax collection rates councils have to increase council tax, which ends up being paid by the honest members of our community to recoup the loss. This is obviously not fair for the hardworking majority of residents who do pay their bills on time. This is why I am proud of our improved collection rates which ensure that the number of tax cheats getting a free ride is declining.”

This year LBHF’s council tax increase was the fourth lowest in London putting the council at 22nd lowest out of 32 London boroughs. LBHF’s council tax increase over the last five years is 17% compared to the London average of 32%.

June 26, 2005