Decision details

Only the CFO has the authority to write off bad debts and in order to do this the following arrangements are in place:-

- the write off of Bad or Doubtful debts below £250k can be authorised by the CFO who nay delegate responsibilities as necessary for smaller items.
- the CFO will consult with the Elected Mayor before authorising the writing off of bad debts of £250,000 or over.

A number of write offs have been combined.

In accordance with FPR D9 the debts detail a non domestic rates account with a balance between £50k and £250k where the company concerned has been dissolved with no prospect of a dividend.

If a dividend does become payable than the appropriate amount of write off time will be reversed.

To write off the debt listed on the attached appendix, which by individual businesses is between £50 k and £250 k due to the company or individual in question having ceased trading or being unable to be traced leaving the debt irrecoverable. The total value of the debts being written off is £434, 150.64.

Action to recover this debt has been taken as appropriate either internally and / or via external enforcement agents. Details of actions taken to recover the debt are outlined on the appendix. All attempts to recover the debt have been unsuccessful and as the company is not longer in existence there is not prospect of payment being made. It is therefore recommended the debt is written off.

We do have the option not to write off these debts, however with no prospect of these debts, being paid the result will be that level of collectable arrears will be overstated.