GOVERNANCE & PENSIONS Tracey Watkin Service Unit Manager Exchequer Services PO Box 304 Ms G Worth Ashton under Lyne, OL6 0GA By Email: Call Centre 0161-342-8355 www.tameside.gov.uk [email protected] email: [email protected] Doc Ref FOI 6913 Ask for Tracey Watkin Direct Line 0161 342 2368 Date 27 November 2017 Dear Ms Worth, Freedom of Information – Request for Information Unique Reference: FOI 6913 Thank you for your request for information dated 6 November 2017, which the Council received by email. You have requested the following information: A council taxpayer who owes more than just the current year's liability runs the risk of incurring additional recovery costs through a further application for a liability order if payments which are intended for the current year's liability are allocated by the council's computer to the previous year's liability. This would most likely happen where a non specific payment is made and the computer software is set to automatically allocate these payments to the oldest year's debt. Councils computer systems have the necessary flexibility to be set to allow non specific payments to be allocated to the arrears or the current year's liability. I understand that the majority of billing authorities have their computer software set to ensure that their customers are not subject to unnecessary recovery action, additional costs or hardship, i.e. so non specific payments are allocated to the current year's liability. How does Tameside Council have its computer software set to deal with non specific payments. Current or oldest year's liability? I am pleased to confirm that the Council does hold the information that you have requested. The Councils computer software for payment allocation is automated. Payments received which do not match an instalment due as part of a payment arrangement will automatically be allocated to oldest years Council Tax arrears. If you have any queries about this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your request and wish to make a complaint, or request a review of the Council's decision, please write to Sandra J Stewart, Borough Solicitor, at Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council, Dukinfield Town Hall, Dukinfield, Tameside SK16 4LA. If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint, you may apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. The Commissioner cannot normally make a decision unless you have exhausted the complaints procedure provided by the Council. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: The Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF and at www.ico.gov.uk. Yours sincerely, Tracey Watkin Service Unit Manager Exchequer Services .