Legality of council tax court costs

[taka]

I missed a final payment for council tax so got a court summons. I then made this final payment and told them that I wouldn't pay this £100+ for "authority costs". I asked what exactly this £100+ was for and the representative said that it was to mail the letter.

 

This can't possibly be legal. After I said that I was happy to go to court over it they said that the magistrates' court was no longer an option because I paid the council tax due. So where would I dispute this ridiculous £100+ to send a letter? They ended up waiving it after I said I refused to pay and I'd have to look into it.

 

I had a similar situation with a landlord who deducted £100 from my deposit for letters he sent trying to collect money for disputed rent. I put a claim in the deposit protection scheme stating that fees have to reflect the actual cost of sending a letter and these fees can't be punitive. The adjudicator agreed and I got most of the money back (minus reasonable costs).