Harborough District Council sends out 700 court summonses in error

Harborough District Council sent out summonses warning residents they faced a court hearing in error

A council has apologised after 700 households were wrongly sent letters ordering them to appear in court over unpaid council tax.

Conservative-led Harborough District Council sent out summonses dated to 15 July warning residents they faced a court hearing on 18 August.

The authority said they were sent out in error as the recipients may not have had the required reminder.

The leader of the opposition has called for an investigation.

"Mistakes happen but this isn't a handful of letters, it's 700," said Liberal Democrat Phil Knowles.

"I want to find out how this has happened and want to be assured it won't happen again."

Harborough District Council was one of a number of local authorities that increased council tax this year, approving a rise of £5 per Band D household in February.

Justifying the move, the council said it "lost significant revenue" due to the pandemic and needed to fill a £4m annual budget gap caused "as a result of increasing demand for services, reductions in government grant, and unavoidable cost increases".

Michael White was not sent a council tax bill or any demand for payment before he received the summons, said his brother-in-law

Richard Nichols said his brother-in-law Michael White, who has learning disabilities and dyslexia, was incorrectly sent a court summons after the recent death of his mother.

Mr Nichols said: "For somebody who has recently lost a mother and has learning issues and anxiety, it's a diabolical situation to be in."

He said the council had not issued Mr White, 55, any bill or demand for payment before the court summons was sent.

"As far as Michael knew, there was nothing to pay," said Mr Nichols.

He said that when he eventually got through to the council to challenge them on behalf of his brother-in-law, the person on the phone said the summons was no longer in place.

"There was no apology. He did not even acknowledge the fact it was an error," he said.

The 64-year-old said since the summons was withdrawn, Mr White has now been sent an incorrect bill - it demands he pays a full year of council tax despite Mr Nichols informing them his relative was moving out of that property.

He said this caused "further anxiety and distress" for Mr White.

"It is a right mess actually. It's an additional stress we can do without," said Mr Nichols.

'Difficult times'

James Hallam, deputy leader and cabinet lead for finance, said a "technical issue" meant some residents "may not have received the required reminder" before a summons was issued over outstanding bills.

"The decision has therefore been taken to cancel these summonses together with the costs," he said.

Everyone who received a summons will be written to in order to "confirm that it has been withdrawn", Mr Hallam added.

Mr Knowles said he understood some people have not yet received letters informing them of the error, and said the council should put out a message on social media.

"We need to be sure that the council is following procedures and if anyone is experiencing difficulties they need to be directed to the right help and support," he said.

"These are difficult times for people."