WOKING'S cash-strapped borough council has pursued 523 rate-payers through the courts for not paying their council tax bills.

The council, which declared itself essentially bankrupt last month, applied for liability orders against 523 defendants.

Guildford Magistrates' Court allowed 431 of these to be made on June 15, with an 'enforcement fee' of £84.80 to be added to residents' unpaid tax bills in each case.

Eleven liability orders were withdrawn and 81 accounts paid prior to the matter coming to court.

The council also sought liability orders for non-payment of non-domestic rates and costs against 51 defendants, and was granted 38, again with an £84.80 enforcement fee added.

Woking Borough Council is responsible for collecting council tax on behalf of all local authorities and the police in the borough.

The 523 unpaid bills are worth around £1,200,000 in total – of which a share of around £140,000 is owed to Woking Borough Council itself.