Council use of enforcement agencies for debt-collecting

Dear Sir/madam

I acknowledge receipt of your request which is receiving attention.

I shall contact you again when I am in a position to respond more fully to your request.

Yours sincerely

Angelene Kirkpatrick
For Freedom of Information Co-ordinator
North Lanarkshire Council
Civic Centre
Windmillhill Street
Motherwell
ML1 1AB

Working from home
Please contact via email

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Dear Ms. Hoddinott

Request for Information

I refer again to your e-mail dated 7 February 2024 seeking information in
relation to the use of enforcement agencies for debt collecting.

In the first instance, I should acknowledge that this response falls
outwith the statutory deadline outlined in the Freedom of Information
legislation – and for this I should apologise.

Returning to your request and having investigated, my response to your
questions is set out below.

Please note that there are two divisions within the Council which use
enforcement agencies for debt collecting and the response has been
provided separately for each section.

Enterprise & Communities

Question 1

Please find set out below the information requested in relation to parking
related debt:-

2021/22 - £32,103.69

2022/23 - £61,305.63

2023/24 - £55,801.71 (as at 31/01/24)

Question 2

I can advise that the information requested is not held and in terms of
Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, I must
advise you of this.

Question 3

No information is held in relation to complaints about the conduct of
external bailiffs and debt collectors and in terms of Section 17 of the
Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, I must advise you of this.

Finance

Question 1

Please find set out below the information requested in relation to Council
Tax and Non-Domestic Rates debt:-

Council Tax Non-Domestic Rates
2021/22 £19,270,556.03 £13,018,323.28
2022/23 £22,020,700.33 £9,141,161.21
2023/24 to 07.02.24 £26,783,039.49 £12,997,967.64

Question 2

Please see the information below:-

  Council Tax Non-Domestic Rates
2021/22 £9,204,504.67 £973,612.43
2022/23 £9,057,234.75 £1,485,732.2
2023/24 to 07.02.24 £7,401,233.12 £1,051,786.24

Question 3

I can advise that there is no data set for the information requested and
in terms of Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002,
I must advise you of this.  By way of explanation, the Council’s corporate
complaint’s system does not identify complaints specifically made
regarding the conduct of Sheriff Officers who are recovering Council Tax
and Non-Domestic Rates arrears.

I can advise that North Lanarkshire Council, having regard to the
provisions of Section 21 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act
2002, has established a procedure whereby any person who has requested
information and is in any way dissatisfied with the decision on that
request, can within forty working days require a review of that decision
by writing to the Chief Officer (Legal and Democratic), Civic Centre,
Windmillhill Street, Motherwell ML1 1AB.  Accordingly, if you are
dissatisfied with this decision and seek such review please write to the
Chief Officer (Legal and Democratic).

I would advise, also, that in terms of Section 47 of the Act a person who
is dissatisfied with a notice given by the local authority under Section
21 of the Act - ie. a notice following a review of a decision by a local
authority, or by the failure of a local authority to give such a notice -
may make application to the Scottish Information Commissioner for a
decision as to whether, in any respect specified in that application, the
request for information to which the requirement relates has been dealt
with in accordance with the Act.  Such an application must be made within
six months of the review decision and be in writing or in another form
which, by reason of it having some permanency is capable of being used for
subsequent reference. The application must state the name of the applicant
and provide an address for correspondence. The application must also
specify the request for information to which the requirement for review
relates, the matter which gave rise to the applicant’s dissatisfaction
with the original decision of the local authority and the matter which
gives rise to the applicant’s dissatisfaction with the decision on review
by the local authority or the failure of the local authority to issue such
a decision.  The Scottish Information Commissioner can be contacted as
follows:-

Scottish Information Commissioner

Kinburn Castle

Doubledykes Road

St. Andrews

KY16 9DS

email: [1][email address]

Appeals to the Scottish Information Commissioner can also be made online
via the following link: -

[2]www.itspublicknowledge.info/Appeal

I hope this information is sufficient for your purpose.  If, however, you
require further information – or I can assist in any other way – please
let me know.

Yours sincerely

Jacqueline Keachie

For Freedom of Information Co-ordinator

North Lanarkshire Council

Contact by email

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