Council tax evaders will face fines instead of prison under plans unveiled by the local government minister last week. Speaking to the LGA annual conference in Bournemouth, John Healey congratulated local authorities on their council tax collection rates, but said there were still people who can pay but won't pay. He is working with the Ministry of Justice to change the rules on council tax prosecutions. Instead of going through magistrates courts – which treat council tax evasion as a criminal debt – councils will now be able to prosecute through county courts – where it will be treated as a civil debt. In 2005-06, 368 people were sent to prison for non-payment of council tax. Mr Healey added: ‘Our aim is to increase collection rates still further and cut the number of people sent to prison each year for not paying their council tax.' CIPFA welcomed the extra options open to councils and the new emphasis on recovery of debt. Technical manager Alison Scott said: ‘Those few who will not pay increase the cost of council tax for the honest majority and add to the financial pressure on already cash-strapped local services.'
