My bank and the council are in dilemma, HELP!!

Dave_Robinson

Hi
I have a food business and it has few other branches in different countries, I’ve had it for years and I’ve not had any problems with paying the council tax on time every month, I’ve set a direct debit with them so things can be as smooth as possible.

However few months ago I’ve encountered an issue and I was shocked when I was sent a fine of £15,000 so when I enquired about it they said to me that I’ve not paid the council tax for the past 6 months, however when I spoke to the manager appointed to deal with finance he showed me the bank statements which reflects all the payments leaving my account for the council bill which made things more confusing, how did the amount leave my account yet the council hasn’t received anything??

I contacted my bank from my side and they have confirmed there were no issues and the payment has left the account but the council investigation shows that they received nothing?

Few months after this fine, in another country I received a fine of £5,000 with exactly the same issue stated above and the manager has shown that the bank statements reflect the amounts leaving as well as the bank confirms it but the council says they haven’t received anything?

The council and I are in dilemma, could you please help as I have a court to attend in a month to finalise this issue?

If you have any more questions to help me resolve this issue ask away...

Thanks in advance

molerat

I assume you mean counties and not countries. You need to check the account and reference numbers of where your bank are sending the money. If the reference number is wrong, and banks have been known to get this wrong, the money will just sit in the council's holding account.

elsien

Duplicate thread.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5872900/my-bank-and-the-council-are-in-dilemma-please-helppp

chrismac1

The first step is to send a copy and paste of the transactions to the council. If they still deny receipt, ask the bank to put a tracing order on. If the tracing order shows you have paid Council A and Council A wants to go to Court saying you did not, bring it on!


And don't forget to counterclaim a few hundred quid of expenses for stationery, stress etc. if they do.

Dave_Robinson

These are the first few things I checked but to no avail.

CIS

However few months ago I!!!8217;ve encountered an issue and I was shocked when I was sent a fine of £15,000 so when I enquired about it they said to me that I!!!8217;ve not paid the council tax for the past 6 month

You won't get a charge of £15k for council tax in the space of 6 months unless it's for multiple properties - sounds more like we're talking about business rates. You also wouldn't be fined for non-payment of either.

Are you by any chance paying monies to council tax instead of business rates in error ?