The recovery of hundreds of thousands of pounds in council tax and business rates on empty properties has prompted Castle Point Council leaders to take on a full-time revenue inspector.

Councillors agreed the permanent appointment after finance director Michael Clayton told them a temporary inspector had uncovered council tax liabilities worth £255,000 and business rate liabilities worth £183,000 between January and September this year.

Of that nearly £100,00 had been paid in additional council tax and £109,000 in business rates.

In a report to members, Mr Clayton said: "We were experiencing significant financial losses arising from periods when we could not establish that council tax was due and therefore had no basis for charging."

The benefits of a full time officer would mean more money for the public purse.

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