RESIDENTS in south Somerset owe millions of pounds in unpaid council tax, new figures reveal.

The report, published by the Department for Communities and Local Government, revealed that residents across the district owe a total of £6.7 million to South Somerset District Council (SSDC).

The data was taken from the last financial year from MArch 31 2015, until March 31 this year, and shows a £500,000 increase from the previous year's figure, which stood at £6.2 million.

The new figures have led to calls from a national debt charity that more support needs to be given to hard-pushed residents.

The warning comes as residents are paying more council tax than in previous years.

In April, bills for residents in South Somerset rose by 4.55 per cent – with the average bill for a Band D household amounting to £1569.96 for 2016/17, compared to £1501.59 for 2015/16.

These figures include all of the different elements of council tax, including precepts.

Joanna Elson, chief executive of the Money Advice Trust, the charity that runs National Debtline, said: “The level of unpaid Council Tax in South Somerset remains a concern.

"With people in the area now paying 4.55 per cent more in council tax than they were this time last year, there is a risk that residents who are already behind will find it even more difficult to resolve their financial difficulty.

“Council Tax is vital in funding the essential local services that we all rely on, and local authorities are already under significant financial pressure – so it is in everyone’s interests that arrears are repaid.

"We would urge all councils to do everything they can to ensure that residents in difficulty are signposted to free advice that will help them get back on track.

“Anyone in and around South Somerset who is finding it hard to make their Council Tax payments should contact National Debtline or a local agency such as Citizens Advice as early as possible. The earlier you seek free advice, the quicker and easier the problem will be to solve.”

A spokesman for SSDC said: "In 2015/16 SSDC collected 97.24 per cent of the £87.7 million expected in Council Tax for that year.

"In cash terms we collected £1.9 million more than 2014/15. In addition to this £1.476 million was collected in previous year arrears.

"We would urge any resident that has concerns about their arrears to contact us as soon as they can."

National Debtline offers free, independent and confidential advice 24 hours a day online at www.nationaldebtline.org and on 0808 808 4000, Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm, Saturday 9.30am to 1pm.