FOI request (FOIR-114607764)

FOI request – Hastings Borough Council use of bailiffs/enforcement agents in 2018/19

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, we would like to request the following information.

1. The number of times between 1^st April 2018 and 31^st March 2019, or the nearest available twelve month period, that private bailiffs/enforcement agents have been instructed to enforce debts to the local authority relating to each of the following;

   1. Council tax

   2. Parking

   3. Housing Benefit overpayments

   4. Business Rates

   5. Commercial Rents

   6. Any other debt types, including any other overpayments

By “private bailiffs/enforcement agents” we mean those who are self-employed or who work for private companies, including as high court enforcement officers.  Please include cases where local authority employees have visited a property to enforce a warrant of control. 

1. Do you signpost residents to one or more free debt advice agencies as part of your collections process?  (Yes/No) If so, which charities?

    

2. Have you adopted the Standard Financial Statement (or Common Financial Statement) as a tool for objectively assessing income and expenditure as part of your collections process? (Yes/No)

    

3. Do you have a formal policy in place for dealing with residents in vulnerable circumstances as part of your collections process? (Yes/No)

    

4. Do you currently have a policy of exempting recipients of Council Tax Support from the use of bailiff action? (Yes/No)

    

5. Have you adopted the Citizens Advice/Local Government Association Council Tax Protocol? (Yes/No)