THOUSANDS of Colchester residents have faced court action from the council for failing to pay their tax, the Gazette can exclusively reveal - an increase of nearly a third.

Nearly 4,915 people were faced with court action for not paying council tax in the 2023-24 financial year, up 31 per cent from the figure of 3,729 recorded the year before.

Councils can apply to the magistrates’ court for what is known as a liability order when residents continually refuse to pay council tax.

If granted, a liability order allows a local government authority to use certain powers to collect taxes by taking money from benefits or wages if residents fail to pay.

Gazette: Order – the council can apply to the courts for a liability order if residents do not pay tax after repeated warningsOrder – the council can apply to the courts for a liability order if residents do not pay tax after repeated warnings (Image: Newsquest)

In extreme cases, bailiffs can collect money and residents can end up in prison.

The latest set of figures obtained by the Gazette via a Freedom of Information request show the number of people struggling to pay council tax has risen to its highest level in five years.

The number of liability orders the council applied last year also increased, sitting at 5,429 last year compared to 3,895 from the year before.

What the figures also show is there is a widening gap between the number of liability orders applied for by the council and the number of liability orders granted by the courts.

Last year, 514 liability orders were refused by the courts, compared to 166 the year previously.

A spokesman for Colchester Council said the increase in residents being pursued for council tax was not “a deliberate crackdown”.

He said: “While the council prioritises support for residents facing financial hardship, there has not been a deliberate crackdown on council tax payments.

Gazette: Population – Colchester Council said a rise in population lead to an increase in tax accounts and therefore residents falling behind on paymentsPopulation – Colchester Council said a rise in population lead to an increase in tax accounts and therefore residents falling behind on payments (Image: Pexels)

“During the Covid pandemic, government grants and support mechanisms helped residents maintain payments – with these programmes ending, some may now struggle to keep up.

“The city’s expansion naturally leads to more council tax accounts, potentially increasing the number of residents falling behind on payments.”

The rise of unsuccessful prosecutions was attributed to residents making the payments shortly before courts became involved.

He said: “Many residents likely make payments just before court, prompting the council to withdraw the summons – this is a positive outcome.”