Colchester City Council has approximately 29,000 payers who benefit from this discount and whilst the majority of these claims are genuine it is essential that we ensure the discount is only awarded to those people who are entitled.
We are using a Credit Agency called Experian who are helping us to conduct the review. We are able to do this under Schedule 2, Part 1, Paragraph 2 (1) (c) of the Data Protection Act 2018 which relates to the assessment or collection of a tax . All personal data is processed securely and will only be used for the purposes of conducting the review.
If you have received a Single Person discount review letter or email from us, it is because Experian have provided us with information which may indicate that there is another adult resident at your property. There are a number of reasons why Experian may hold this information.
These include:
- A previous occupant is still showing on the Electoral Register
- A previous occupant is still having credit activity or correspondence at your address.
- Someone else stays with you occasionally but has a main home elsewhere.
- The name on our Council Tax records does not match the name on Experian (for example we have someone registered in their maiden name and Experian may hold their married name)
- Your adult son/daughter has moved out but is still registered on the Electoral Role at your address.
The purpose of this review is to protect public funds and ensure that the discount is only awarded to those people who are entitled. Therefore, if you are still the sole adult resident in your property your discount will continue.
However, if we need any further information to verify your Single Person discount remains applicable, we will contact you.