Council send tax bill to man at war

Matthew Rumsey, 23, a leading operating mechanic on HMS Edinburgh, has been out in the Gulf since January. Before he left for war he asked his parents, Barry and Chris Rumsey, to keep an eye on his Durrington home, which he moved into in December.

Days after he left, his parents found he had been sent a council tax bill and, anticipating that he could be away for some time, Mr and Mrs Rumsey contacted Worthing council tax office and explained Matthew's situation.

The Rumseys, who run Ferring Newsagency, were told that the 179 bill, the first Matthew had been sent at his new home, would be held back until he returned from war.

They thought this was the end of the matter, as it had with other bills such as the electricity bill and water bill, but last week they had an unpleasant surprise.

Mr Rumsey said: "My wife went round to his house at the start of the week and found a letter saying a court summons for non-payment of council tax was being sent out.

"I phoned them up on Tuesday and we spoke to someone who said it was too late to do anything.

"All they could stupidly say is get in touch with him. The only way we could get in touch with him is to go through the War Office. I don't think they would be very impressed.

"Anyway, the last thing his mother wants to do when she speaks to him is discuss the rates bill."

Mr Rumsey added: "They also told us we should get

Matthew to set up a standing order but how can you set up a standing order from Baghdad?"

Now he has paid the bill on his son's behalf but he added: "I said I wouldn't pay the charges '” no way. They can take me to court over that.

"Bearing in mind they were told about the situation I think it is disgraceful."

But Mr Rumsey has been spared a court battle after the council announced they would waive the summons and the costs.

Kevin Masters, assistant director of resources at Worthing Borough Council, said: "Members of the armed forces are expected to make arrangements for the proper administration of their affairs while they are abroad but in this instance we have already agreed to withdraw the summons and waive the court costs as a gesture of goodwill."

Barry and Chris Rumsey have now received some good news about their son. Matthew is returning home from the Gulf. His ship will arrive at Portsmouth on May 28.