This in from the council, in their own words. Ed
A comprehensive review is to be carried out to check that Island council taxpayers who benefit from a 25 per cent ‘single occupancy’ reduction on their bills are entitled to the discount.
The council has appointed Capita Local Government Services to carry out the review of 23,400 council taxpayers from mid-September.
Working with credit reference agency
Capita will work with Equifax, the credit reference agency, using up-to-the-minute, data–matching technology to identify where people may be claiming discounts they are not entitled to.
The checks form part of the council’s measures to prevent and detect fraud and protect the public purse.
It follows a similar project carried out in 2010/2011, which identified close to £100,000 worth of incorrect discounts being claimed.
Cracking down on taxpayers who claim improperly
Cabinet member for resources, Councillor Jonathan Gilbey, said:
“Single person discount is an entitlement that the council is keen to ensure is claimed by council taxpayers who are genuinely entitled, especially in these trying economic times.
“However, council taxpayers who claim the discount improperly place an unnecessary burden on the very real needs of some residents.”
Any council taxpayers currently receiving a discount which they feel may not be correct are urged to contact the council on (01983) 823901 before the full review begins.
More information about council tax and any entitlement to a reduction can be found at www.iwight.com
