Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Two men have been sent to prison for not paying.
The committals came after the men failed to pay their outstanding debts despite receiving suspended prison sentences from North Wiltshire magistrates on 9 October.

It is the first time that failure to pay council tax in West Wiltshire has resulted in prison terms being served. Both arrests were made by the District Council’s own bailiff, supported by the court’s warrants officers.

Raymond Thomas of 25 Cornwall Crescent, Melksham remains in HMP Bristol (Horfield), having been arrested on 6 November. He is serving a 28 day sentence for failing to pay £518.67 in council tax.

Peter Chorley (38) of 2 St Michael’s Court, Melksham was arrested on 8 November to start a 20 day sentence for failing to pay £802.36 in council tax. He was released from HMP Bristol (Horfield) on 10 November after family members paid his debt in full.

Cllr. Trevor Carbin, the WWDC finance and policy portfolio holder, said: “Taking someone to court for not paying their council tax is very much the last option, and we only take this route when the customer has been given numerous opportunities to pay their outstanding debts yet has failed to make any contribution. A court appearance does not come out of the blue, it follows lengthy correspondence between the Council and the customer, including home visits.” He added: “There comes a point when court action really is the only option left, and a custodial sentence would not be imposed unless the magistrates were satisfied that all other alternatives had been exhausted. Help is available for anyone who has genuine difficulty paying their council tax, but refusing to pay is not an option. We will take action when people wilfully refuse. The vast majority of residents abide by the law, and we owe it to them to apply that law fairly and firmly, regardless of the amount outstanding.”