Rachel Darbyshire has paid her council tax bill by standing order on the 20th of each month but was issued with a summons by Eastbourne Borough Council for non-payment to appear at Eastbourne Law Courts on Tuesday afternoon.

Mrs Darbyshire, who will soon be 70 and lives in Hide Hollow, was told because each standing order was paid after the date set by the council she was in arrears, had lost the right to pay by installments and would have to pay the remainder of the year's council tax in one lump sum of £339.

The widow was among a number of people who waited all afternoon at the courts in Old Orchard Road only to be told at 5pm their cases could not be heard and they would have to return on another day.

The whole episode has left Mrs Darbyshire's daughter Jennine Hill furious.

She said, "The council insists on taking my mum to court for non-payment of her council tax but as she is continually telling them she pays it every month by standing order on the 20th of each month for £113.

"She has posted in bank statements and letters showing them this. It's a ridiculous farce and another money wasting exercise by Eastbourne Borough Council with the taxpayers' funds.

"Needless to say having to open up a court summons and threatening letters to her on a regular basis is making my mum sick with worry and because of her age is constantly worrying whether she will be opening doors to bailiffs or men in dark suits ready to carry her off and lock her up.

"I just feel this council should be shown up for its shortcomings, inability and incompetence, not being able to balance their books and using their bully-boy tactics on weak, innocent, frail lovely old ladies.

"The council is the only concern which stipulates certain days for certain type payments. Even mortgage and utility companies allow you a date to suit your financial circumstances."

Mrs Hill said there were around 30 people at court on Tuesday afternoon who had been issued with summonses for paying at different times of the month and not the date given to them by the council.

"They kept us all just sitting there until 5pm when they then came out and said they were rescheduling for Wednesday," said Mrs Hill.

"With that there was uproar in the room and people said they couldn't get more time off work and some had lost wages from being there."

Mrs Hill said her mother would also dispute the £85 in court costs she was being asked to pay and would issue a counter claim through the small courts for lost time and undue stress and character assassination.
A spokesperson for Eastbourne Borough Council said, "There is a legal duty on the council to collect council tax.

"There are instances when chargepayers deviate from the council's four direct debit instalment dates or four cash payment dates and it is always regrettable when the council has to take action on someone for non or late payment.

"It is clearly vital we do this to maximise income for local services and to ensure people who do pay on time do not subsidise persistent non or late payers.

"The council will, at all times, try to help and assist customers who are experiencing difficulties in paying."

The council tax department also said this week it was not reponsible for the court's time.

The spokesperson added, "The council cannot be held liable if the court postpones the hearings."