FOI request (FOIR-529734312)

Council use of bailiffs

Requested Thu 06 July 2023
Responded  Mon 17 July 2023

This request relates to enforcement agents (also known as 'bailiffs') that have been used by the council.

1a. Between 01 January 2020 and 30 June 2023, how many times have bailiffs been deployed by the council? Please break this down by year.

1b. How many individuals does this relate to?

1c. How many companies does this relate to?

2. In cases where the council deployed bailiffs during this period (01 January 2020 and 30 June 2023) how much debt did this relate to, in total?

3. In cases where the council deployed bailiffs during this period (01 January 2020 and 30 June 2023) what was the smallest amount of debt owed by an individual?

4. Does the council directly employ its own bailiffs/enforcement agencies, or does it use private enforcement agencies/companies to do this work on the council's behalf?

5. Please provide the names of all bailiff/enforcement companies that have been paid by the council at any time between 01 January 2020 and 30 June 2023.

Response

1a.

01/01/2020 to 31/03/2020

Council Tax - 1,535

Non-Domestic - 20

01/04/2020 to 31/03/2021

Council Tax - 643

Non-Domestic - 0

01/04/2021 to 31/03/2022

Council Tax - 3,346

Non-Domestic - 363

01/04/2022 to 31/03/2023

Council Tax - 2,691

Non-Domestic - 225

01/04/2023 to 30/06/2023

Council Tax - 182

Non-Domestic - 23

1b. We are unable to break down by individuals and companies, therefore the above is split down by domestic and non-domestic cases.

1c. We are unable to break down by individuals and companies, therefore the above is split down by domestic and non-domestic cases.

2.

Council Tax - £11,187,370.30

Non-Domestic - £2,921,465.07

3.

Council Tax - £124.45

Non-Domestic - £214.90

4. The Council uses Marston (Holdings) Ltd.

5. The Council uses Marston (Holdings) Ltd and the fees charged are to the debtor. These fees are standardised.