Wokingham

Council taxpayers in the Wokingham Borough are benefitting from the most efficient collection system in the country.

Wokingham Borough Council collected 99.2 per cent of the council tax it was owed for 2008/9 – meaning that those who pay up honestly are not forced to subsidise those who do not pay.

The national average collection rate for 2008/9 was 97 per cent and each percentage point for Wokingham Borough Council equates to about £700,000 of council tax – meaning that the efficiency of the council’s collection systems effectively generated in excess of £1.5million more than if it had been an average performing authority.

Cllr Anthony Pollock, executive member for Wokingham council budgets, said: “I would like to thank all those residents who pay their council tax on time. We get a very poor financial deal from central government and so it is important that we handle our resources efficiently in order to have money to spend on vital services. The officers should be complemented for their work in this area and their diligent follow up of those residents who need to be reminded to pay their council tax.”

“I realise that paying your council tax is not the highlight of people’s month, but it is important to stress the link between paying it and the services the council provides – your money is vital to a huge range of services – from caring for people with physical disabilities and learning difficulties to emptying bins and cleaning streets.”

Wokingham Borough Council