If payment of the amount shown on the summons (inclusive of the summons cost of £50.00) is not made then an application will be made to the Magistrates' for a Liability Order (court order) which will increase the amount shown as due on the summons by a further £45.00.

The reason for the Court Hearing is to determine liability, and if the Magistrates decide that you are liable and that we have issued the bill correctly it is likely that the Magistrates will grant the court order with costs.

Once a court order has been granted you will be given the opportunity to make a short term payment arrangement with the Council, but only by completing an Information Request form that will be sent to you after the Court Hearing.

If payment is not made in full or an arrangement secured then further action will be taken under the court order to attempt to collect the debt. This may include one or more of the following actions:

• Attachment of Earnings
• Deduction from Benefit
• Bailiffs
• Committal to Prison
• Charging Order
• Bankruptcy