A WHITEHILL man has been given a suspended prison sentence for failing to pay his council tax in a case which, it is hoped, will encourage other non-payers to take steps to prevent something similar happening to them.

Raymond Newell of South Hurst was given the 28 day prison sentence by Alton magistrates last week after they heard that he had failed to pay £1,024 in council tax over a period of more then two years.

However magistrates agreed to suspend the sentence to allow him to make regular payments to clear the debt he owes.The sentence will remain in force until the arrears are cleared

East Hampshire District Council, which collects council tax for every council covering the district, brought the prosecution after every other effort to reclaim the arrears failed.

Officers hope that Mr NewellÕs case will act as a deterrent and encourage others to sort out their finances.

ÒThe council will use every means available to them to collect outstanding council tax and business rates, but would much prefer to deal with these matters without resorting to court,Ó EHDCÕs revenues manager Brian Wood said.

ÒWe would urge anyone who is concerned about their council tax or business rates arrears to contact the council direct - we have a range of solutions to help people with arrears, and avoid unnecessary court actionÓ.

Mr Wood told The Herald that the council will go through a long list of actions before resorting to specialist non-payment courts where prison sentences can be handed out, which is seen as a last resort.

These include less daunting court hearings, held for around 11 months a year, where payment schedules are agreed. Bailiff visits are organised to try and clear the debt before the last-ditch court action takes place.

ÒWe donÕt want anyone to go to prison for not paying their council tax which at the end of the day is just another bill,Ó Mr Wood said.

ÒThe council is not trying to get money out of people who genuinely canÕt afford it and if people are having problems then they should contact us as soon as possible so we can sort something out.Ó

The revenues manager said that the jobless and those on state pensions are often exempt from paying council tax while other on low incomes could receive some other help to pay it.

ÒHowever, we canÕt do anything to help if we donÕt know about your situation.Ó

Mr Wood said that arrangements can be made to have payments made straight from a personÕs wages or benefits to help them clear their debts and make regular payments.

But it is those who are in and out of work who are often caught out as sometimes they have to pay and other times they do not.

The officer explained: ÒVery often people get to a certain stage and then resort to an ostrich situation.

ÒWe want to do all we can to help but we need to know about peopleÕs situations or there is nothing that we can do to help. All they have got to do is pick up the phone.Ó

Anyone who would like to talk through the council tax payments should contact Brian Wood or Louise Bicknell on 01730 234146.