Issue - meetings

This report outlines the principles that should form the backbone of a Council-wide Fair Debt Policy, and will provide suggestions as to how vulnerable debtors and those with multiple debts should be dealt with. This report also reviews the nature and performance of current arrangements with respect to Enforcement Agents (Bailiffs) across the Council.

RESOLVED:-

    (i)        Cabinet approved the suggested overarching principles for a Council-Wide Fair Debt Policy;

  (ii)        Cabinet approved the suggested approaches to individuals with multiple debts, vulnerable debtors, and those in financial difficulty;

 (iii)        Cabinet approved the recommendation to create an in-house bailiff service as part of our approach to collecting Council debts, to be implemented as existing arrangements come to an end.

 (iv)        Cabinet noted the justification for recruiting Enforcement Agents outside of the Council’s standard employment terms and conditions, in order to implement performance related pay, and gives authority to recruit on this basis.

Councillor Margaret McLennan, Deputy Leader, introduced the report stating that as a result of continuing budget pressures, the recovery of Council debts has become of paramount importance, and the need to maintain and improve performance in this area will only increase going forward.

Councillor Roxanne Mashari, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Growth, Employment and Skills welcomed the report. She suggested using resident focus groups to get feedback from residents.

Councillor Roxanne Mashari asked that the scope of the policy be amended to include parking fines. Conrad Hall, Chief Finance Officer, agreed to investigate this possibility.

Councillor Ellie Southwood, Cabinet Member for Environment, asked that mention be made of accessible communications. She is aware of written summons letters being written to residents with visual impairments.

RESOLVED:-

    (i)        Cabinet approved the suggested overarching principles for a Council-Wide Fair Debt Policy;

  (ii)        Cabinet approved the suggested approaches to individuals with multiple debts, vulnerable debtors, and those in financial difficulty;

 (iii)        Cabinet approved the recommendation to create an in-house bailiff service as part of our approach to collecting Council debts, to be implemented as existing arrangements come to an end.

 (iv)        Cabinet noted the justification for recruiting Enforcement Agents outside of the Council’s standard employment terms and conditions, in order to implement performance related pay, and gives authority to recruit on this basis.