Hi Honey b It was very informative reading your post - I am attending court this afternoon for 'non payment' of council tax - the council will not accept our offers of any kind - want the outstanding amount paid in full. Explained that a standing order has been set up to clear the account by Feb 2011. This I have been told is not good enough - they will only accept a direct debit if it is to be cleared in installments - told them I am in control of my payments - not my bank (they previously decided they would bounce my council tax dd and of course charged me £38.00 for the privelage) Explained to the council that my partner is still out of work and I am working full time so not entitled to benefits of any kind etc.... His JSA has now run out - cant claim that anymore. Anyhow, they have already recieved and accepted the first of my standing order payment! I was told I dont have to attend court either - not sure why councils seem to discourage attendance!!! It will be interesting to see if my court hearing is with a judge or a room of of these council workers - thanks for the posting - it has given me the heads up to be prepared for that! Totally agree with your last statement especially even the ones we think we can trust... the person I saw at the CAB was horrendous - so bad that he made me cry and told him he was making me feel tiny and I did not appreciate his attitude...how dare he look down on me as though I was something stuck to his shoe! Yep, seems like it's all about revenue collection and adding costs and increasing the little mans debt!