By Bruce Fegen

FIFE HAS increased its council tax collection rate for the fifth year running, figures released by the Scottish Executive yesterday have revealed.

But the ‘can pay, won’t pay’ brigade are being warned that there will be no let-up in the campaign to ensure that everyone pays their fair share.

The provisional figure for Fife for 2005-06 is exactly 94%, up slightly from last year’s confirmed 93.9%. The estimated Scottish average for the last financial year is 93.3%, an increase of 0.6%.

Dundee City’s collection rate increased by a whopping 3.6% 90.7%, Angus now stands at 95.8% compared with 95.6% in 2004-5, Perth and Kinross recorded a 0.3% improvement to 96.4%, while Stirling increased by 0.4% to 96.8%.

The Executive figures show that, unsurprisingly, Glasgow had the lowest collection rate at 86.1%, while Orkney topped the table with a high of 97.6%.

In all, 29 out of Scotland’s 32 local authorities improved their collection rates. Only Argyll and Bute (down 0.9% to 94.6%), Dumfries and Galloway (down 0.5% to 94.1%) and Midlothian (no change) failed to improve on the 2004-05 figures published by Audit Scotland.

Finance minister Tom McCabe said, “These figures are a step in the right direction but there is still room for improvement in council tax collection.

“This slight improvement in collection rates, which represents an additional £10.735 million on the previous year, signals a more even loading on local taxpayers.

“It is not right to expect the majority of taxpayers to continue to subsidise the minority who do not pay their share.”

“At the same time as wishing to drive up collection rates, we are determined to ensure that the appropriate advice and assistance is given to anyone who is experiencing difficulties with payments.”

Allan Traynor, revenue services manager with Fife Council, said, “Over the last five years, Fife Council has consistently improved the rate of council tax it collects in the year in which it’s due.

“This is due in no small part to our rigorous collection policy and commitment to getting as many people as possible to pay by direct debit.

“The majority of people in Fife pay their council tax on time which makes our job much easier.

“For those people who have genuine difficulties paying, we can provide help. However there will always be those people who for whatever reason are unwilling to pay up on time and it is those people who we want to target and make sure they pay.”

Clackmannanshire Council has again improved its collection rate, achieving its highest ever result of over 92%, writes Leeza Clark. One of the reasons for the continued improvement is the increase in the number of taxpayers using direct debit to pay.

Welcoming the figure, scrutiny portfolio holder Councillor Brian Fearon said the council had improved the collection rate year on year.

“I am delighted with this 92% figure which has been achieved thanks to the council tax payers themselves and to the hard work of revenues staff. However, there is still room for improvement and I am sure the officers concerned will be striving towards achieving even better collection rates in coming years,” he said.

The councillor stressed that the collection of council tax was a major priority. “Not only is it in our interest to collect council tax, it is in the public’s interest to pay it—a record rate of 92% should deliver improved services for local people.”