Brighton council will reconsider bailiff tax collection

Acorn Brighton has been calling for Brighton and Hove City Council to stop using bailiffs to collect overdue council tax and rather focus on “fair repayment plans and an ethical debt collection policy”.

In September, the union delivered a petition to Hove town hall asking the council to “boot the bailiffs”.

The council already does not send bailiffs to low-income households.

And now the council says it is “reviewing its debt collection policy” for other households too. It is looking at alternatives to enforcement action, with new policy coming next year.

Keziah Hall, chairwoman of Acorn Brighton, said: “We're delighted that the council has made this long-overdue change.

The petition being delivered in a boot to the town hall (Image: Acorn) “This will have a massive impact on the lives of struggling people across the city, and shows the power of Acorn’s strength in numbers.”

Brighton and Hove City councillor Tristram Burden, cabinet member for adult social care, public health and service transformation, said: “The cost of living is exacerbating the mental health crisis, and Labour want to compassionately respond to the city’s needs. 

“The use of doorstep calling needs to carefully consider mental health and other vulnerabilities such as economic abuse.

“On investigating our current debt policy, the Labour administration were heartened to find measures already deployed that ensure early intervention and support to help people manage arrears.

READ MORE: Union delivers petition to council against 'brutal' bailiffs

“We’re also pleased that our new enforcement agents do not visit low-income households in receipt of council tax reduction.

“However, we’re reviewing our debt collection policy to enhance our ethical debt collection practices and explore alternatives to enforcement agent use for other households.

“We’ve also identified a total £4.2 million that supports those on low incomes. We’ll release the new policy in the new year.” 

Last month, it reported that it prevented enforcement action in over 2,000 cases.

At the time, Councillor Jacob Taylor, cabinet member for finance and city regeneration on Brighton and Hove City Council, said: “We do everything we can to support residents who may be struggling to pay their council tax bills.

“We proactively look for signs of vulnerability, offer tailored advice and assistance, working with each household to agree on a realistic repayment plan.”