A NATIONAL debt helpline has called on Redditch Borough 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 Redditch council urging the council to commit to improve the way it collects council tax arrears and other debts.
Redditch Borough Council figures, revealed in response to a Freedom of Information request, show the authority referred 2,463 debts to bailiffs in the 2022/23 financial year – an eight per cent increase on pre-pandemic levels in 2018/19.
The charity says that bailiff use remains too high, with action needed to improve collection practices so that fewer debts are sent to bailiffs in the first place.
Redditch Borough Council is one of 41 per cent of local authorities which has increased its overall use of bailiffs in in 2022/23.
The charity-run service is calling for Redditch Borough Council to adopt all six of its ‘six steps’ to improve collection practices. This includes making a clear public commitment to reduce the use of bailiffs over time.
Steve Vaid, chief executive of the Money Advice Trust, the charity that runs National Debtline, said: “Facing bailiff action 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.
“Unfortunately, Redditch Borough Council’s use of bailiffs remains high – and our research shows the council is one of 41 per cent of authorities which had increased bailiff use compared to pre-pandemic levels.
“Improving debt collection practices benefits not just people in financial difficulty, but councils too. We have written to the Leader with steps they can take so that fewer debts need to be passed to bailiffs in the first place.
“We are also calling on the new government to support Redditch Borough Council and other councils by introducing ring-fenced funding to enable all local authorities to provide 100 percent Council Tax Support to households on the lowest incomes.”
A spokesperson for Redditch Borough 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.”
