HOUSEHOLDERS in Waveney could face criminal proceedings if they fail to pay their council tax now that the local council has adopted new powers.Waveney District Council has been granted enforcement powers which mean that people can be called to court and ordered to pay and could even be forced to sell their home.

HOUSEHOLDERS in Waveney could face criminal proceedings if they fail to pay their council tax now that the local council has adopted new powers.

Waveney District Council has been granted enforcement powers which mean that people can be called to court and ordered to pay and could even be forced to sell their home.

The new powers also allow the council to obtain charging orders in severe cases, meaning legal charges can be put on properties for the amount due. The council will then automatically receive the money, plus costs, when the property is sold, or a further application can be made to the county court to force the sale of the property.

Sue Allen, the council's portfolio holder for housing, said: 'Criminal summons for failure to supply information and charging orders are new enforcement tools for Waveney's council tax team, and not all other local authorities currently use them.'

For more information, contact the council on 01502 523535.