Council tax payments collected by bailiffs for South Somerset District Council look set to increase compared to the previous financial year.

In 2001-02, bailiffs collected £261,742.

But having reached and passed the half-way mark (Oct 10) of this financial year, collections have already been made to a value of £156,497 - indicating a final figure in the region of £300,000.

Although an increase seems likely, the final figure for this financial year does not appear to match of those of 1999-00 and 2000-01, which were £340,109 and £360,809 respectively.

This means that bailiffs have collected to a total value of £1,119,157 for the council since April 1st, 1999.

Using bailiffs appears to be a cost-effective method, as the annual cost for 2001-02 came to £12,672 - with £261,742 being raised.

The cost effectiveness is confirmed in the report, which says: "Bailiffs are an effective means of obtaining payment from those who are able, but reluctant to pay."

The figures were presented in a recent report for the council's Health and Social Inclusion Policy Panel.

The report was produced to inform councillors of the process leading up to a bailiff receiving instructions, and to inform of changes from previous policy.

It is stressed in the report that bailiffs are only used after at least four notices have been sent to the taxpayer in question without success.

According to the report, a visit by the bailiff can actually be of benefit to the taxpayer.

The report explains: "Bailiffs can also perform a very valuable service in identifying taxpayers who are suffering from financial hardship, but have previously not contacted us.

"This information is passed to us in the form of a report. When such information is received, referrals are made to the council's welfare benefits adviser where appropriate.

"In some cases, this has led to taxpayers gaining further types of benefit and, in others, the report has been used to support the writing-off of the debt."

The local taxation unit was reorganised during the latter part of 2000-01, which led to a new strategy aiming to reduce the use of bailiffs. Two ways of achieving this are allowing more flexibility when payment arrangements are made, and the increased use of direct debit - which has proved to reduce the default rate.