BROMLEY council collected tax receipts totalling £149m in the last financial year - missing out on more than £4m in uncollected bills.

That’s according to Government figures which also reveal the council raked in an extra £5.5m in council tax payments compared with the previous year.

Residents in the borough collectively paid more than £149.3m into the council coffers, but finance chiefs sent out demands for just under £153.9m.

The figures mean Bromley succeeded in collecting 97 per cent of the council tax cash it was owed - compared to 96 per cent in the neighbouring borough of Bexley, 93 per cent in Greenwich and Lewisham, and 95 per cent in Croydon.

A Bromley Council spokesman said just five London boroughs had a high collection rate.

He added: “The council is determined to continue to improve its collection rate even in these difficult economic times and is working hard together with its contractor, Liberata, to develop innovative methods to make sure it collects council tax as efficiently as possible and ensure it offers residents good value for money.”

Local authorities across the capital collected more than £3bn in council tax, missing out on £143m in uncollected bills.

What would £4m buy the council?

Two high street makeovers

Most of a new swimming pool and library

Four breast screening units

Four five-bedroom detached houses in Bickley

Two dozen silver 1965 Aston Martin DB5s

Half of the Orpington Treatment Centre

Do you think your council tax bills are to high? Is that why people are not paying? Leave your views below.