Northgate and Council Tax

In a supreme irony, Scottish Borders Council has used (possibly unwittingly) a response to a Freedom of Information Request to put into the public domain information which, if what it says is true, indicates that it is not complying with CT discount law (which is the same in essence in Scotland as in England).


According to them, they appear to pay Northgate £40 every time they (apparently Northgate and the Council) make a serious legal mistake.


Don't take my word for it. 

http://www.scotborders.gov.uk/directory_record/24343/single_person_discount_review

Where the Council Tax payer remains entitled to receive discount i.e. there has been no change in the household, there is no charge to Scottish Borders Council.
Where Northgate are advised of a change and discount is cancelled there is a charge or £40 to Scottish Borders Council.

Does Scottish Borders Council carry out its obligations to the taxpayer correctly?


You guessed it. No. The 'application forms' for this discount provide misleading information to the taxpayer.  The web site does the same thing.

To make sure the right person is charged council tax at the right rate, you must tell us about any changes in the circumstances of the adults (aged 18 or over) living in a property.