'Cannabis farm' has bad debt written off by council  

THANET council is preparing to write off debts of more than £250,000 for unpaid business rates.

Among those who will not have to pay up are a former Margate businessman described as an "an irresponsible and benevolent fool".

A business unit said to have been used as a cannabis farm is also among the bad debts.

The Labour Cabinet group will be asked to consider a report detailing the outstanding amounts when it meets on May 1.

Documents released by the council show that seven accounts totalling £264,386.30 are being put forward for write off for non payment of business rates.

Six of those are listed in an appendix to the report.

1: Blackknights Limited is said to owe £33,549.48 on rates for an empty property between April 2005 and November 2008.

The company was dissolved in May 2009 "due to high debts" says the council's report.

2: A firm registered in South Africa is said to owe £44,238.24.

Botswana International Airlines had Unit 4, Timber Yard Industrial Estate in Ramsgate between December 2008 and March 2012 and stored aircraft parts at the site.

The council's report says there is "no realistic chance of recovery" of the debt.

3: Glynn's Amusements, which has now been dissolved, is said to owe £24,800.02 for an account on an amusement arcade between 39 and 41 on Marine Terrace in Margate.

4: One company, Gig 4 Ltd, which is now dissolved, heads a trio of accounts listed in the council's write-off report as The West Coast, 3-5 King Street, Margate between April 2009 and November 2013; Unit G4-G9, Paragon Works, Albert Street, Ramsgate between April 20012 and September 2012 and The Britannia, Fort Hill, Margate between February 2010 and September 2012.

The total debt is listed as £30,817.96.

The report concludes: "Whereabouts of director unknown though believed to be in the West Midlands area."

5: Known only as Mr X, he leased units 4, 5 and 6 at Goodwin Park, Continental Approach, Margate between October 2009 and January 2012.

The total debt being written off is £59,033.83.

The council's report says that it appears Mr X never paid rent and that in April 2010 police raided the units "stating premises being used a cannabis factories".

The report adds that "various methods" have been used to try and trace Mr X who had "disappeared".

6: Known only as Mr Y, he formerly had a lease for a unit at 21-22 The Centre in Margate which was used as an indoor market.

The council documents show it is writing off a debt of £14,086.48 in unpaid rates.

The documents claim that Mr Y was summonsed for a committal hearing in March last year but that the hearing was adjourned twice.

The council's report concludes: "After lengthy hearing in October regarding the actions over collection of rents by him and his

manager , involvement of police due to theft of rents and his lack of financial acumen and money

the debt was remitted with no finding of either willful refusal or culpable neglect. Mr Y was described as a "friend to many but an irresponsible and benevolent fool."

http://www.thanetgazette.co.uk 23/04/2014