Worthing's unpaid council tax more than £1million

In future, the council will apply to magistrates for a summons immediately a reminder notice is ignored.

Many late charge-payers will receive only one reminder before incurring costs of 40.

If the amount is not cleared within a specified time, another 40 costs will be imposed should a liability order be subsequently granted by the court.

The following figures reveal worsening shortfalls in the council's cashflow.

For the year 2005/06, just under 420,000 remains uncollected, less than 0.9 per cent of the total billed.

Just over 2,500 cases were the subject of court action.

And the situation is twice as bad for 2006/07, with more than 880,000 remaining uncollected (about 1.7 per cent of the total billed).

More than 2,500 cases were subject to court action, but this figure has already been exceeded for the current year.

Only 14 per cent of this year's charge relates to Worthing Borough Council's services, with 77 per cent being collected on behalf of West Sussex County Council and the remaining nine per cent in respect of Sussex Police Authority.

As these outside bodies have to be paid automatically, it is the borough's finances, and, therefore, Worthing residents, who suffer from late payment.

Once an order is obtained, the council will, in future, call in outside bailiffs to collect outstanding debts from persistent defaulters.

Other measures currently being taken include initiating insolvency proceedings; registering a charge on the debtor's property, and implementing attachment orders direct to the debtor's earnings or benefits.

Paul Yallop, cabinet member for resources, said: "The majority of residents pay their council tax on time and those facing genuine difficulties can receive help.

"The small hardcore of people who refuse to make any contribution to council services will not be allowed to get away with it.

"We cannot allow a situation where those paying on time are subsidising late payers."

The council says it will continue to work with the Citizens Advice Bureau and other agencies to help the vulnerable and people on low incomes.

The payment line is 01903 221012, and customer services is on 01903 221061.