OPEN LETTER TO ARC CHAIR

Defaulting Ratepayers

Dear Gwen,

In a media release yesterday your Chief Executive made the statement that the ARC did not have 100,000 defaulting ratepayers.

On 4th Feb your Council's Director of Operations, Mr Darby, advised the Rates Special Committee that 40,389 ratepayers had not paid any rates. He further advised that 57,128 ratepayers had paid less than the full amount, and had been sent penalty notices.

Section 62 of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 outlines steps that may be taken against an owner who 'defaults' in paying rates. The section includes reference to actions in relation to the mortgagee in 'default' cases.

The recent second reminder sent to 'defaulting' ratepayers refers to this mortgagee situation. This letter has been sent to both non-payers and to part-payers,

It must follow that both those groups are in default on their rates - otherwise the ARC would not be threatening them with the mortgagee action.

Will you there please confirm my contention that there are almost 100,000 defaulting ratepayers.

regards

David Thornton

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