The Director of Resources submitted a report proposing the adoption of a good practice protocol for the collection of Council Tax arrears produced by Citizens Advice and the Local Government Association.  The Protocol was attached to the report at Appendix 1.

The report explained that Citizens Advice and the Local Government Association were encouraging Councils in England to adopt the Citizens Advice Council Tax Protocol to improve Council Tax collection.  The Protocol had been developed through partnership work between national bodies representing advice agencies, local government and enforcement agencies throughout England and Wales and aimed to help Councils in England improve the experience for residents in arrears whilst collecting what was owed.  Citizens Advice reported that growing numbers of people were turning to them for help with Council Tax issues, and figures from the national charity showed that Council Tax debt had risen by a third in the last three years.

The report explained that the Council’s Council Tax Recovery Team had been engaging with Citizens Advice Reading to review the processes in place for collection, and benchmarking these against the standards set out in the Protocol. Regular review meetings were underway, and several actions had already been taken to improve collection processes with more early intervention to assist residents struggling with their Council Tax payments, help prevent further charges, alleviate stress and reduce collection costs.

Resolved -

That the Citizens Advice Council TaxProtocol, as set out at Appendix 1, be adopted.