The council was forced by law to correct the mistake, but it cost a fortune
Bristol City Hall at College Green. Image Bristol Live. Permission for all partners(Image: Copyright Unknown)
Bristol Live readers have been voiced their frustration after learning that a minor printing error has left taxpayers footing a £200,000 bill. Many expressed anger over the wastage, whilst others questioned how such a mistake occurred and called for improved procedures.
Some also queried why the council relied on postal letters rather than email, and what the legal obligations actually required.
Bristol City Council dispatched 239,143 letters last month to clarify a “typographical error” on this year’s council tax bills – despite the mistake having absolutely no effect on the amounts households are required to pay.
Council tax payments include small precepts for the Avon Fire Authority and the Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset. This year these precepts rose by five per cent for the commissioner and 5.9 per cent for the fire authority.
However, the council mistakenly stated the figures the wrong way round on its initial bills: 5.9 per cent for the commissioner and five per cent for the fire authority. Whilst the total council tax bill remains unchanged, legislation required the council to write to households explaining the embarrassing error.
The cost of printing and posting these letters reached a staggering £198,000. Labour Councillor Don Alexander and Liberal Democrat Cllr Nicholas Coombes sought further information during a member forum meeting on Tuesday, 4 November, with written responses provided to both.
In response, a council spokesperson stated: “All households who had received a council tax bill during the current financial year received the letter of clarification. The cost of print and postage for the letters was £198k.
One reader, Muttsnuts suggests: “£200,000 to correct a tiny typo. I doubt anyone even noticed the thing anyway. This council sure likes wasting our tax money. Up side they may now not be able to afford to build a few cycle lanes.”
Oldiegit states: “Public sector incompetence at its best, any heads rolling, no chance!”
Bs3bob replies: “Of course not. We may have booted out Labour due their incompetence,but the equally culpable public sector civil servants are still there.”
Jubblyone4 believes: “Measure twice. Cut once.”
Bbski asks: “Does this cost cover the fact that they sent out duplicates of the corrective notice? What penalty would have been imposed if BCC had decided not to send a correction?”
Bristollivefanaccount answers: “Gross incompetence forced the taxpayer to pay for the mistake they made. How about finding the person responsible and making them pay for it.”
HanhamHeights writes: “Because that is disproportionate and no organisation works that way. People make mistakes, to err is human after all.”
Motorist says: “Perhaps they could find council money to pay towards care home fees for families that are struggling, if they can sign off this sort of money for a typo error. Bristol is a joke.”
Othermeinnit asks: “Is there a legal time limit on when the correction has to be sent? Couldn’t they have put a note on next year’s bill instead?”
Blackbeard83 believes: “Mistakes happen. The only part I can’t understand is why I couldn’t just get an email instead. In fact they should ask for the email of everyone when they register with the council.”
Figaro1785 states: “If BCC hadn’t corrected it, it would have been in breach of the law. But, it just seems to have been done with administrative incompetence.”
Are you surprised that the council have had to pay nearly £200k for such a small typo? Comment below or HERE to have your say.