Council set to write-off £818,000 debts

Perth and Kinross Council is set to write-off more than £818,000 owed to it in council tax, rent and car parking fines.

A committee will be asked next week to give council officers the necessary authority to wipe out the debts.

The council said certain debts would be written off "for accounting purposes only" and that it would still pursue other unpaid charges.

The proposal would write-off £388,271 owed in council tax.

The council said that would amount to 0.4% of the money due for the 2015/16 financial year.

Rent charges of £281,607 owed by former tenants and £18,591 in garage and lock-up fees could also be written off.

Car parking fines

Other debts that could be waived include £112,794 of car parking fines and £17,314 of housing services charges provided to homeless clients in temporary accommodation.

Ian Miller, convener of the council's strategic policy and resources committee, said members were asked every year for permission to write-off certain debts.

He said: "However, this does not mean that officers stop pursuing outstanding payments owed to the council for the service provided.

"If people are in receipt of a service provided by the council then they are expected to pay for it and to do so in timely fashion."

The committee will meet on 15 June to request authority for the debts be written off.