Investigation launched after three council tax bill mistakes in 18 months at the Royal Borough
A FULL investigation has been launched after three council tax bill gaffes in 18 months at the Royal Borough.
Cabinet approved a full and independent investigation to be launched when it met on Tuesday last week into the failures that caused three mistakes on council tax bills which had been sent out to residents.
In 2013, two digits were missing on council tax bills meaning '£1,150.28' appeared as '£50.28' leading to a rebilling exercise having to be undertaken.
For the 2014/15 billing process, two more complex, technical issues arose. In five of the 17 parishes, the 'Annual charge for Period' percentage was wrong in that the percentage precept was incorrect, but the 'Total Council Tax' value shown on the bills was correct.
The second issue involved the figure given for how much of a council tax reduction there was on the previous year being presented as 2.05% in one stage and 2.1% in another on the same bill, meaning 28,000 households had to be written to which, according to a council report, 'obviously had a negative financial and reputational impact for the council'.
Speaking at the meeting held at the Town Hall, in St Ives Road, Maidenhead, Cllr Simon Dudley, said: "We pride ourselves on our efficiency.
"When we are sending out thousands and thousands of letters to residents and we can't get basic maths right - it's not good."
In total, the council produces 60,000 council tax bills each year.
The report is due to be presented to cabinet when it meets in October.
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