nope, he didn't.

the reply from the leader of the council was sent just to myself, should i forward it to my local MP and councillor?

yes, James Waters - here's the relevant bit-' In October you contacted the Council offices (though the CAB) as Rossendales had made contact with you in relation to collecting the debt. At that time you stated you were then claiming JSA and it was your intention to put submit a claim for Council Tax benefit. Recovery of your account was put on hold, with Rossendales, for three weeks for you to claim. On 26th October 2011, your Council Tax benefit claim was assessed and the Bailiffs advised of the reduced balance owed, which now stands at £506.40. Once a debt has been passed to the Bailiffs the Council rarely return cases. In your case the Council saw no reason to return the debt from the Bailiffs as Rossendales Ltd had already carried out work in collecting the debt and it was their contact that prompted you to contact the Council. We, Forest Heath District Council, are not entitled to charge a processing fee but under the Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992 (as amended by the Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rating (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2006), the bailiffs are entitled to make a charge. Rossendales do make statutory charges with regard to their bailiffs visiting, and this is how they make their income. However, Rossendales offer a wide range of payment services of which a majority are free, these are Debit Card, Credit card, All pay, Cash, Standing Order, Cheque, Bank Giro, CHAPS, BACS, Building Society Cheque and Bankers draft. Transaction charges are only applied to credit cards (2.5%), debit card (80p) and All Pay (50p), these charges reflect merchant charges and do not represent any profit margins for Rossendales Ltd. You also state you believe you should be classed as vulnerable. The Council has no details on your council tax account that would suggest you are vulnerable. However if you have evidence to show this is the case please provide this. i am sure the lady at the CAB told them that i was claiming JSA and that i was also being treated for depression) The Council does has a debt recovery policy and also a separate code of practice with the bailiffs, which covers areas such as vulnerable persons and those with low means. Rossendales Ltd also have their own vulnerable person’s policy. The Council and Rossendales have adhered to these policies as they have acted in accordance with them with all the information they have available. You have informed Rossendales Ltd that you are on Job Seekers contributions and because of these circumstances they decided to set a low arrangement as per their guidelines. The ARP (Anglia Revenues Partnership - who deal with the CT for Forest Heath) have requested that you please contact them to make arrangements to pay the outstanding debt. It has also been noticed that you were awarded a single persons discount from the date of your Benefit claim. If you have always been the sole occupant over the age of 18 then this discount can be backdated to when your Student discount ceased on 25th May 2011. A Single persons discount form is enclosed for you to complete and sign. When this is received back your account will be amended and Rossendales will be notified of any reduced balance. (not enclosed with the letter and i have told them i am a single person)

got a reply and basically he's saying that they won't take the debt backa dn i have to deal though Rossendales as the 'fee' is how they make their income!

got this reply from the Council Leader - 'On behalf of the Leader, Cllr Waters, I thank you for your email below. I have instructed officers to look into this matter and provide the Leader with a full explanation. Cllr Waters will reply to your points in the near future.' from his PA so now wait and see.

sent the email!! now to see what happens!

thanks Hallowitch. i was thinking of cc-ing the coun cil and Rossendales as well.

Forest Heath DC.

i used the correct refs - still wouldn't take the payment.

PT, the comapny who deal with the council's Copuncil tax - Anglia Revenues Partnership. - it won't accept my card.

i don't answer the door unless i'm expecting someone. The car is parked in a parking area which is shared by other houses in the street, about 40 yrds away. I have tried to make a online payment and for some reason it won't accept my card. Still no response from the Council Tax dept.

any suggestion in how to reply to rossendales?

I waited a few more days to see if the CT dept would reply to my original email, they didn't so i sent a second email, as hallowitch suggested. I copied in the council - i sent it on monday and just received this reply from Rossendales - "Thank you for your email. Our Client have advised that the debt will not be recalled for an Attachment of Benefits to be served. Under the Liability Order that has been granted, an attachment of benefits/earnings is only one of the methods of recovery the Local Authority may use to recover the debt. The serving of an attachment of benefits/earnings is at the discretion of the individual Local Authority and cannot be requested by yourself. The Local Authority may choose to recover the debt using other methods allowable under the Liability Order. We have therefore set a payment arrangement at the lowest amount acceptable. Payment of £5.00 per week is due by 3rd February 2012 and every 7 days thereafter. Providing this arrangement is maintained, no further recovery action will be taken. " I didn 't send to the CEO or my local Councillor, cos tbh i wasn't sure what to say and how much to explain about my circumstances without it sounding like a pathetic winge.

i'll forward a copy to the ct dept too.

i've not yet received a reply from the CT dept at the council yet.