Improving Council Tax Collection Rates in Scotland

DescriptionThis report presents the results of a study carried out for the Scottish Executive in 2005 to identify the factors associated with varying tax collection rates in Scotland, England and Wales.
ISBN
Official Print Publication DateJuly 2006
Website Publication DateJuly 20, 2006

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    Abridged Report
    Glen Bramley, Noah Kofi Karley, Francoise Rutherford and Fiona Wager
    , Heriot Watt University
    Centre for Research into Socially Inclusive Services ( CRSIS)
    ISBN 0 7559 61390 (Web only publication)
    This document is also available in pdf format (480k)

    Contents

    Acknowledgements

    Executive Summary

    Chapter 1 Introduction
    Key Point Summary
    Context
    Study Objectives
    Policy and Research Background
    Research Methods Overview

    Chapter 2 Issues and Structures
    Key Point Summary
    What Do We Mean By 'Non-Payment'?
    Enforcement Systems in Scotland, England and Wales
    Follow-Up From 'It Pays to Pay' in Scotland
    Other Room for Improvement

    Chapter 3 Statistical Analysis
    Key Point Summary
    Introduction to Statistical Analysis
    Development of the Statistical Analysis
    Results At Local Authority Level
    Results for England, Wales and Scotland
    Results At Ward Level (Scotland)
    Related Results At Individual Level

    Chapter 4 Perspectives on Non-Payment
    Key Point Summary
    Local Officials' Perspectives on Non-Payment

    Chapter 5 Non-Payers' Characteristics and Attitudes
    Key Point Summary
    Qualitative Survey of Non-Payers
    Reasons for Non-Payment
    Views on Council Tax Administration
    Broader Attitudes and Council Tax

    Chapter 6 Collection Process Issues
    Key Point Summary
    Strategic Outlook
    Management Tools
    Process Management
    Recovery and Enforcement
    Administration of Council Tax Benefits
    Key Factors in Process Improvement

    Chapter 7 Conclusions and Recommendations
    Principal Conclusions
    Recommendations for Policy
    Recommendations for Practice

    Annex 1 References and Bibliography
    Annex 2 Abbreviations and Acronyms

    The views expressed in this report are those of the researcher and
    do not necessarily represent those of the Department or Scottish Ministers.

    A full version of the report on which this abridged version is based
    is available from the Local Government and Public Services Reform
    Research Branch, Finance and Central Services Department,
    Scottish Executive, 2J South, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ.
    Email requests may be sent to
    fcsdresearch@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
    For telephone requests, please call 0131 244 4943

    This report is available on the Scottish Executive Social Research website only
    www.scotland.gov.uk/socialresearch.

      Page updated: Friday, December 14, 2007