"Antisocial" parishioners face Petty Debts threat

Friday 18 September 2020

190 households in the Vale could be taken to court because of unpaid rates bills.

A £25 fine will be issued if they remain unpaid next week, and the parish's Senior Constable has warned that the next step is a legal summons to the Petty Debts Court

"The Douzaine does everything it can to contain costs and to minimise rates bills," said Vale Senior Constable Richard Leale. "Having to chase people like this can actually increase what we have to charge people because of the extra work and cost of taking people to court."

Pictured: £760,000 was collected by the Vale last year through parish rates, which is used to pay for refuse collection, street lighting and upkeep of public places such as the Vale Church.

Any person brought before Petty Debts Court is charged £60, and a further £127 is charged if a second appearance is needed to enforce the judgment made.

Mr Leale said that refusal to make the payments is "antisocial" behaviour and that the Douzaine cannot ignore it.

"We have a duty to the thousands of other parishioners who do pay their rates on time to ensure that everyone else does too."

Payments can be made over the phone, in person, or online. More information is available on the Vale Parish's website.