COUNCIL chiefs are considering naming and shaming debtors in a new bid to improve collection rates and save council taxpayers' money.

The get-tough approach started last week when 1,661 non-payers of council tax and business rates were taken to court and ordered to pay their bills and an extra £50 court costs.

All have been told to make swift payment arrangements or face visits from bailiffs who are authorised to remove non-essential goods such as household furnishings, electrical items and vehicles, or even face £1,000 fines or jail.

Paul Bayes, Rossendale Council's revenues manager, said: "Naming and shaming would be a last resort and only aimed at the persistent and flagrant non-payers whose names crop up again and again.

"We believe there is no legal impediment as their names will already have gone through the courts and be a matter of public record.

"What people must realise is that public services depend on payment of council tax. Each non-payment, or even late payment, means we must pay interest on money we borrow in the markets and that is all added to the council tax that other people must pay."

Of last week's 1,661 people, 708 contacted the council in advance of the hearing. Approximately half of them arranged to make payments although court orders were still obtained against them -- suspended so long as the payments were made.

Approximately 500 cases are to be sent to the bailiffs.

Mr Bayes added: "We are now a fast-improving council and efficient and cost-effective collection is vital to value for money.

"We have to send a clear message that we will take whatever action possible against people who are late or do not pay their charges.

"There are cases of genuine hardship and we assist in any way possible. Even so they have to contact us as it is in no-one's interest to get further and further behind until the debt becomes unmanageable."

Help and advice is available from the council's recovery section on 01706 244698.