Decision details

Consideration of recommendation FRP 24/24 of the Finance, Regeneration and Property Scrutiny Select Committee of 19 November 2024 in respect of debt collection practices and the challenging financial position faced by many residents.

Cabinet had due regard to the views of the Scrutiny Select Committee, the financial and value for money considerations and the legal implications and supported the proposal for a pilot scheme to be commissioned with ReachOut to engage with residents struggling with debt.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)             a pilot scheme of up to 500 cases be approved and ReachOut be commissioned to engage with residents struggling with debt, as set out in 7 of the report, and reconnect those residents with the Borough Council’s teams in order to resolve their debts;

(2)             a review of the Corporate Debt Recovery Policy be approved to reflect the more challenging financial position of residents; and

(3)             a statement be made highlighting the positive actions being taken by the Borough Council to engage with residents and re-emphasising that referrals to bailiffs were only done as a last resort and that a reduction in the need to use bailiffs would be targeted.