THE councillor in charge of Barnet's finances says he expects 99 per cent of all taxes owed to the council from last year to eventually be collected.

On Wednesday the Times Series revealed more than £6 million in council tax went uncollected for the 2009/10 financial year, with £3m in business rates also unaccounted for.

However, Councillor Daniel Thomas said: “"In a typical year, we levy £220m in council tax. We expect to collect 96 per cent of that within the financial year, but we don't give up.

“By the time we have pursued all council tax arrears we will have collected 99 per cent of the total amount owed."

He said Barnet is the largest London borough by population, meaning there are more residents to collect tax from with potential to run up a greater amount of uncollected tax than others. Only Birmingham, Leeds and Sheffield raise more through council tax each year, he added.