DEFAULTERS on council tax and business rates for Hambleton and Richmondshire ended up in court after the authorities sought liability orders to enforce payments.

Northallerton magistrates granted 676 liability orders at a hearing yesterday, with £75 costs for each one, for non payment of council tax and 63 orders for non payment of business rates with £87 costs for each one to Hambleton district council. Originally the authority was due to apply for 924 orders, but many had been withdrawn before the hearing. Applications for 404 liability orders for non payment of council tax with £74 costs for each one, were approved for Richmondshire district council, originally 569 had been applied for, 165 were withdrawn.

The payments were due for council tax and business rates between April 2016 and April 2017.