COUNCILLOR RAISES COST OF PRINTING ERROR TO LOCAL TAXPAYERS

3.29.44pm GMT Fri 28th Mar 2008

Following a complaint that business rate bills have had to be sent out twice by Torbay Council due to a printing error, the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group Councillor Darling has written to the Conservative cabinet member with responsibility for Finance, Councillor Carroll, seeking an explanation.

Councillor Darling's letter says:

Dear Kevin,

Subject: Reissuing of Business Rate Bills

I understand that business rate bills have had to be sent out twice, because the first bills sent out did not include any payment amounts or dates.

Please could you let me know:

How much has the reissuing of the bills cost?

Why did this happen?

What is the administration doing to ensure that it does not happen again?

I look forward to your prompt response in writing.

Councillor Darling says: "Local business people will obviously not have been impressed to have received two bills. I very much hope that the Conservative administration has put a strategy in place to make sure that this does not happen again as it could be an expensive mistake for local taxpayers."