A NATIONAL debt helpline has called on Bromsgrove District Council to improve its debt collection practices after a freedom of information request revealed its use of bailiffs remains high.
National Debtline, a free debt advice service run by the Money Advice Trust, has written to the leader of Bromsgrove District Council urging them to commit to improve the way it collects council tax arrears and other debts.
Bromsgrove District Council figures, revealed in response to a Freedom of Information request, show the authority referred 1,173 debts to bailiffs in the 2022/23 financial year – a 39% decrease on pre-pandemic levels in 2018/19.
Despite the post-pandemic decrease, the charity says the council’s bailiff use remains too high, with action needed so fewer debts are sent to bailiffs in the first place.
Across England and Wales, 2.71 million debts were referred to bailiffs by councils during 2022/23 – broadly unchanged on pre-pandemic levels (2.65 million in 2018/19).
The findings form part of wider research into council tax debt and collection practices published by the Centre for Social Justice, which reveals 1.3 million households fell behind on their council tax bill in 2022/23.
Bailiffs, known officially as enforcement agents, have the right to visit a property and can remove and sell goods to repay certain debts, including council tax arrears, parking penalty charge notices and other debts.
National Debtline is calling for national changes from the Government to help reduce and reform bailiff action, including through new ring-fenced funding for councils to provide 100% Council Tax Support schemes for those on the lowest incomes.
Steve Vaid, chief executive of the Money Advice Trust, said: “Local authorities remain under significant financial pressure and council tax plays a crucial role in funding vital local services.
“Facing bailiff action, however, can be a distressing experience and risks pushing people already struggling into deeper financial difficulty. Bailiffs should only ever be used as a last resort.
“The fact Bromsgrove District Council has decreased its use of bailiffs to collect debts is welcome, but there is still more to be done to improve debt collection practices for the benefit of both people in difficulty and councils.”
Locally, the charity-run service is calling for Bromsgrove District Council to adopt all six of its ‘six steps’ to improve collection practices. This includes exempting residents receiving local Council Tax Support from any form of bailiff action.
A spokesperson for Bromsgrove District Council said: “Council Tax helps to pay for council, police, and fire and rescue services, and so it is important to have fair and robust processes to collect debt when someone does not pay.
“We provide everyone with clear explanations of these processes, which include multiple chances to pay, signposting to free debt advice, the opportunity to make special payment arrangements, and support for vulnerable people.
“If someone who owes money does not engage with us or make payments, then of course further action will be taken and, as a last resort, the debt will usually be passed to the council’s enforcement agents who are trained to identify and minimise action against vulnerable debtors.”
Visit www.nationaldebtline.org or call 0808 808 4000 for more information.
