More than £8million of council tax debt has been racked up in West Dunbartonshire as residents struggle to keep up with payments.
New information obtained under Freedom of Information revealed that in 2020/21 alone, almost 15,000 cases in the region were referred to sheriff officers.
In Argyll and Bute, which covers Helensburgh, the figure was almost £5.3million with 6,000 cases.
It means the average household debt in West Dunbartonshire was over £540 and almost £890 in Argyll and Bute.
Only a fifth was recovered by the end of the year in West Dunbartonshire – with £6.3m outstanding.
Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie claims the figures show the SNP Government’s £150 council tax rebate may not reach those in debt if councils pay it directly towards their arrears.
However, the Scottish Government said councils are being asked to apply cost of living payments to the 2022/23 council tax year liability, and not to historic debt unless the householder asks for that.
All households in bands A to D will receive a £150 payment or discount from their council tax bill, as will those in other bands who already qualify for reduced rates.
The Scottish Government made the announcement last month to help offset the upcoming energy price hike in April.
The Labour MSP said: “Fifteen years after the SNP promised to scrap the council tax, the broken, regressive system remains in place – and millions of pounds of debt is racked up every year as a result.
“This total failure in leadership is pushing people into unmanageable debt and stripping vital funding out of councils.
“We have already seen the huge deficits faced by both West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute Councils which could end up in local people losing out on vital services as they try and plug the budget gaps.
“These mammoth debts mean that the SNP’s botched cost of living support scheme may not even reach some of those who need it most.
“If these payments are made directly into accounts, those in debt will see the payment wiped out entirely, with the £150 barely making a dent in most people’s arrears.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said those having difficulty paying council tax in meeting their council tax should contact their local authority to see if they are eligible for a council tax reduction which can be backdated by up to six months.
He said: “During this cost of living crisis, the Scottish Government’s priority is to get help to people quickly and simply.
“Assisting with council tax bills is the best route to do that and, by providing support to those in receipt of council tax reduction regardless of council tax band, it is able to reach those families already identified as being in need.
“Councils have a range of actions they can choose to take if someone is not paying their council tax. These include discussing and agreement payment plans, as well as enforcement action, including legal action when a household has chosen not to pay the council tax that they owe.”
He added that the £150 payment is only one element of the support package and further assistance is available elsewhere for those exempt from council tax.
