BOURNEMOUTH council is looking to crack down on Council Tax cheats in a bid to generate £600,000.

The council’s outsourcing partner Mouchel is proposing a review of the system and a clampdown on people who claim the single person discount of 25 per cent but do not live alone.

Householders with only one adult are entitled to the discount on their annual bill.

Mouchel has estimated that taking action on those claiming the reduction dishonestly could drum up the extra cash.

The proposal is part of the 2011/12 council budget, which will go before members this month.

If it is given the green light, the review would take place with a view to reclaiming the £600,000 of lost income in 2012/13.

Mike Forrester, the council’s executive director for business improvement, said: “The single person discount (SPD) review is aimed at ensuring fairness to residents who legitimately claim this discount. We have a responsibility to make sure we award these discounts correctly and to those that are not aware that they can claim the discount, for example where a partner has died.

“While most people claiming discounts are entitled to them, there is a minority who are claiming incorrectly. For example, there are occasions where residents may have experienced changed circumstances and now have a second adult living at the property but have not informed the council.

“Similar reviews in other councils have shown that improvements can be made to accuracy. In Bournemouth the SPD review has been identified as potentially saving £600,000 in 2012/13.”