MILLIONS more in business taxes could flow into the council’s coffers as the local authority agrees to name and shame firms for not paying up.

Councillors unanimously backed a plan last week for West Dunbartonshire Council to call out companies who haven’t paid non-domestic rates (NDR).

Also known as business rates, the council collected 98.36 per cent in 2017/18 – on the current bill for £87million, that leaves £1.43m potentially lost this year.

Councillors previously raised the possibility of naming the businesses who don’t pay up.

Council leader Jonathan McColl told the corporate services committee: “It’s something we have been looking to do for some time. It’s public money – people should be encouraged to pay their bills on time.”

The local authority’s staff said they wanted to get the message out ahead of publicising non-payers as early as December.

But they accepted it could take a “few years” to get close to 100 per cent paying in.

Stephen West, strategic lead for resources, and the council’s chief financial officer, said in a statement before the meeting: “Often companies we are chasing are dissolved or go into administration then re-appear almost immediately. The practice is often referred to as ‘phoenix companies’ and allows the owners to avoid unpaid bills.

“Councillors have previously asked officers to consider how best to tackle this practice and our recommendation is now going to committee to see if it meets their aspirations.”

In a report to the committee, councillors were told there is no law to stop officials publishing details of a business that doesn’t pay – including name, address, period of default and amount due.