FOI Request - Debt Collection and Write Off Policies

Request 101003379179

1)  Can you please confirm whether your organisation has a corporate or departmental debt collection policy? If yes, please specify which and provide copies of the policy or a link to the source where it can be accessed.

2)  Can you please confirm whether your organisation has a corporate or departmental write-off policy? If yes, please specify which and provide copies of the policy or a link to the source where it can be accessed.

3)  Can you please confirm whether your organisation utilizes enforcement agents to collect statutory debts? If yes, could you also confirm if any added value services are extracted due to this contract, such as fintech utilization or financial assistance? Additionally, please provide a list of the types of debts for which enforcement agents are used.

4)  Can you please confirm whether your organisation utilises debt collection agents (DCA) to collect debts owed to the organisation? ? If yes, could you also confirm if any added value services are extracted due to this contract, such as fintech utilization or financial assistance? please provide a list of the types of debts for which Debt collection agents are used.

5)  Can you please confirm whether your organisation has a local authority-owned enforcement agent facility for undertaking "taking control of goods fees regulations" debt collections? If yes, please provide a list of debts for which this the debts the team collects, and kindly provide a copy of the notice of enforcement that is used.

6)  Please confirm the total amount of debt written off by your local authority for the years 2021/22 and 2022/23. Please break down the figures by debt area, such as Council Tax, Parking, and Sundry Debt etc.

Response 12-09-2023

1) Please find the corporate Debt Management Policy, used by Housing and Property department, amongst others,   here.

2) Please find the Estates Department's agreed Write Off policy for Industrial Debts here; further details contained within Debt Management Policy.

3) Housing and Property Services use the services of Scott & Co, Sheriff Officers for the collection of our debts which normally relate to Housing and Industrial debts. 

Taxation Services use them to collect Council Tax, Non Domestic Rates and Sundry Debt on its behalf.

4) Housing and Property Services and Taxation Services: as per 3. No other services are extracted.

5) No. 

6) Housing and Property:  Rent Arrears 2021/22  £76,491
Rent Arrears 2022/23   £77,583

Taxation: Write Offs in respect to Council Tax as at 01/08/23
2021/22 £45,182.90
2022/23 £30,534.81