WEST Devon Borough Council has apologised to the 619 residents who were issued with a council tax bill that did not show their council tax reduction.

’When the council realised that there was a problem, they took immediate action to identify those people who pay by direct debit on the first of the month,’ said a spokesperson today. ’Their payments were stopped and we can confirm that they will not be overcharged.’

’New bills will be issued to those people who were affected by the error and their payment plan will be altered to reflect the fact that no payments will be taken on April 1 or 15 this year. ’The first payment of a customer’s new bill will be due approximately 14 days after they receive their new bill. For details on how this will affect you if you pay by direct debit please refer to the Council’s website www.westdevon.gov.uk

’If you think that you are one of the residents affected, you do not need to contact us, we will be sending you a new bill showing the correct reduction.  If you are not entitled to a council tax reduction, your bill is correct and your direct debit payments will be taken as normal.

’We would like to sincerely apologise to residents for this error and for any concern that this has caused.’