Is council too quick to call in the bailiffs over debts?

Political Editor pfrancis@thekmgroup.co.uk More than 3,000 council tax dodgers in the Canterbury district have been hauled before the courts in the last year – with 12 sent to prison.

The startling figures also reveal bailiffs were called in almost 2,600 times to recover unpaid council tax – sparking claims the city council is turning to debt enforcers too quickly.

Of the 5,784 householders hit with a court summons after falling into arrears between 2012 and 2013, 3,082 had their cases heard in court.

Businesses behind on payments were also targeted, with 266 cases reaching court and one business owner jailed.

With the recent introduction of new council tax schemes, resulting in many paying for the first time, it is feared the number of people falling into arrears will rocket.

Citizens Advice chief executive Gillian Guy says some councils are too quick to pass debts to bailiffs.

She said: “Half of people we help with bailiffs problems are families with children. A bailiff turning up at the doorstep of your home is frightening.

“Local authorities have a duty to protect and support the people who live in their communities. They need to recognise the current squeeze on household finances.

“If a family is struggling to pay their council tax bill it is quite likely they are battling other bills too. It should be an alarm bell for the authority that people need help.”

Council spokesman Mariah Young has defended the figures, saying strict government legislation dictates when a summons can be issued or bailiffs used.

She said: “Before a case is sent to the bailiffs a typical resident has been sent a bill, a reminder, a final reminder, a summons and another letter saying the case will shortly be passed to the bailiffs following the court hearing. At all times we stress the importance of people getting in touch with us if they are having problems paying.

“We have also signed a protocol on the use of bailiffs with the Citizens Advice Bureau, which all staff follow.

“The use of bailiffs is always a controversial subject but they collect substantial amounts of money that would otherwise not be collected and would therefore not be available to the council.

“We have a duty of fairness to our residents who always pay their council tax on time. We also have a duty to help people as much as possible if they are genuinely experiencing problems in paying their council tax and will work with them to make sure they can pay their bill.

“We will tackle persistent non-payers and will take all legal steps available to us to make sure we collect their council tax.”

Are you struggling to pay your council tax? Email kentishgazette@ thekmgroup.co.uk or write to Gazette House, 5-8 Boorman Way, Wraik Hill, Whitstable, CT5 3SE