HUNDREDS of Thurrock residents that still haven’t paid their Council Tax are being urged to settle their bills.

Thurrock Council has been trying to contact and help local people who are having to pay Council Tax for the first time this year.

Phil Smith, the council’s cabinet portfolio holder for central services, said: “At the end of April I urged people who had yet to contact the council to get in touch, then in early May I repeated the call, saying we would have to start taking tough action soon.

“Unfortunately that time is now.”

Thurrock Council is expecting to take about 1,500 people to court who have not paid up.

Mr Smith added: “We have followed our standard reminder processes for people who are ignoring the need to pay; we wrote to everyone affected before the bills were produced and we have not taken action as quickly as we should have.

“You don’t need to have a court summons, contact the council immediately to discuss satisfactory terms – this is the last chance for people to avoid significant additional costs and bailiff action.”

The council says bills can be spread across 12 monthly payments to make it easier for struggling families.

People who haven’t contacted the council or paid their bills will be given a court summons - adding an extra £65 cost. They will be allowed another 14 days before a court hearing where a liability order will be granted which will add another £30 costs.