Private agent to help collect unpaid levies

By Zamuxolo Feni, Municipal Reporter

EAST LONDON -- A new credit control policy aimed at defaulting levy-payers in the Amatola District Council was approved at a recent council meeting.

It was decided to appoint a private levy collection agent to assist in the registration and collection of outstanding levies from businesses.

ADC communications officer Gail Pullen said there were 26258 registered levy-payers in the ADC.

Income in the last financial year amounted to R63,1 million, compared to R55m the previous year.

Finance director Kevin Jacoby said the council had installed a new computerised system which would be used by collection agents.

The levies due would benefit the community and were to be used for infrastructural projects.

In a report tabled before the council meeting last week, it was stated that in terms of the Regional Services Council Act all businesses in the ADC's area of jurisdiction had to register as levy-payers.

Those compelled to pay the levies were government departments and local authorities, farmers and enterprises which include any person who sells or rents goods and properties or renders any form of service.

Levies are based on the gross salaries and gross turnover of a business.

Debt recovery procedures will be put into practice before persistent defaulters are finally issued with summonses.