NEARLY 7,000 people have been ordered to appear in court for non-payment of council tax in Mole Valley since the start of the credit crunch in 2008 – with more than 5,500 of them found liable.
The figures, released to the Advertiser following a Freedom of Information request, paint a worrying picture of members of the public struggling to deal with the fallout from the financial crisis.
But Anne Haigh, manager of the Leatherhead and Dorking Citizens Advice Bureau, said she had not noticed a particular increase in the number of people failing to pay the tax over the last three years.
"Despite the recent changes in neighbouring boroughs, the criteria for getting council tax support is the same as it was before in Mole Valley – so the same number of people are getting the same amount of support," she said.
"I have to say we haven't seen a particular spike in it. If Mole Valley District Council do make changes next year, then of course it could be a different story."
Across the country, the most recent return to recession, coupled with current changes to benefits, has left many families struggling to pay the bills.
Mrs Haigh added: "We do get people who stop paying one thing and then they stop paying another thing, so sometimes council tax can slip.
"People don't always realise how serious it can be to not pay it, but I think on the whole, when they get the summons, they will try to stump up."
Richard Burrows, corporate head of service at Mole Valley District Council, said the authority had one of the smallest and most effective teams in Surrey for collecting council tax and, with a 99.1 per cent collection rate, was one of the best councils in the country.
He added that the council's recovery process included issuing reminders, notices, summonses and liability orders.
"I would like to clarify that at all stages of the recovery process, customers are encouraged to contact the council's council tax team to discuss their payment options."
