A CHARITY said North Somerset Council referred over 8,000 Council Tax debts to bailiffs in 2022/23 adding the figure “remains too high” despite a 15 per cent decrease.

Newly released figures from National Debtline and the Centre for Social Justice have revealed that North Somerset Council referred 8,301 debts to bailiffs in 2022/23, prompting renewed calls for improvements to be made to the council’s debt collection practices.

National Debtline, the free debt advice service run by charity the Money Advice Trust, has written to the leader of North Somerset Council urging the council to commit to improve the way it collects council tax arrears and other debts.

North Somerset Council figures, revealed in response to a Freedom of Information request, show the authority referred 8,301 debts to bailiffs in the 2022/23 financial year – a -15 per cent decrease 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.

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, based on Freedom of Information requests to local authorities, form part of wider research into council tax debt and collection practices published by the Centre for Social Justice, which reveals that 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 per cent Council Tax Support schemes for those on the lowest incomes.

Locally, the charity-run service is calling for North Somerset 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.

Steve Vaid, chief executive of the Money Advice Trust, the charity that runs National Debtline, 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 North Somerset 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. “We have written to the Leader to set out simple steps they can take to improve the way the council collects debts it is owed.

“We are also calling on the new government to support North Somerset 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.

“I would urge anyone in North Somerset struggling with their finances to get in touch with National Debtline as soon as possible. Our expert advisers provide free, impartial support and can help residents make a plan whatever their circumstances.”

National Debtline offers free, independent debt advice on 0808 808 4000 or at www.nationaldebtline.org

North Somerset Council’s response

A North Somerset Council spokesperson said: “We aim to only use Enforcement Agents as a last resort and work closely with our residents to provide support whilst also ensuring debts are recovered.

“All residents will have received a minimum of three notices prior to their debt being referred to an Enforcement Agent.

“Council Tax and business rates is an important source of income for local authorities and helps provide vital services to local communities.

“Our referral numbers to Enforcement Agents have decreased but we still looked to recover over 5,600 council tax debts, over 330 business rate debts as well as issued over 3,200 debts relating to parking enforcement in 2022/23.

“We are working hard to reduce referrals through working with #FirstSteps who can support you with bailiff issues, set up affordable payment arrangements, help budgeting for ongoing council tax bills and signpost to help for other debt matters.

“We’ve also provided advisor training to flag referrals and signposted to our welfare provision scheme, food vouchers and Discretionary Housing Payments.

“The Enforcement Agents are also aware of our support schemes and will refer residents accordingly.

“However, we do always urge if you are struggling to pay to engage with us and maintain contact so we can help support you with the best way forward.

“Further information is available at: https://n-somerset.gov.uk/my-services/council-tax/difficulty-paying-your-council-tax/help-if-youre-struggling-pay-your-council-tax”