Council use of enforcement agencies for debt-collecting

Dear Helen Hoddinott,

 

Thank you for your information request, received on the 7 February 2024.

Reference 7488 has been applied to your request which will be looked into
and a response provided within 20 full working days.

Should you have any queries in the meantime, please contact the Freedom of
Information Team at [1][Braintree District Council request email]

Kind regards,

 

Lucy Day

Performance & Improvement Assistant

Braintree District Council | Causeway House, Bocking End, Braintree, CM7
9HB

 01376 552525| [2]www.braintree.gov.uk

 

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[Braintree District Council request email]
2. http://www.braintree.gov.uk/

Dear Helen Hoddinott,

 

I am writing regarding your information request received by Braintree
District Council on the 07/02/2024, case reference 7488.

 

Your request for information has been processed under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA). The Act enables access to information held by the
Council, subject to exemptions contained within the Act.

 

The Act does not require the Council to create information to respond to a
request if the requested information is not held, nor to give an opinion
or comment.

 

Please find our response to your request below:

  

1) In the financial years 21/22, 22/23 and 23/24 (Up to 07.02.24), could
you please provide me with the total monetary value of council-related
debts (such as council tax, parking fines, failures to pay business rates
and housing arrears) which were referred to external enforcement agencies?

 

Parking Fines

2021/22 - £14 ,766

2022/23 - £13,206

2023/24 - £17,268

 

Council Tax

2021/22 - £3,647,134.73

2022/23 - £3,145.685.96

2023/24 - £3,569,972.55

 

NNDR

2021/22 - £243,231.50

2022/23 - £153.795.30

2023/24 - £665339.37

 

Over payment of Housing Benefits

2021/22 - £14,046.25

2022/23 - £385,552.51

2023/24 - £71,160.27

 

Sundry Debtors

2021/22 - £1,125.07

2022/23- £34,996.79

2023/24 - £7,4189.73

 

2) Of this figure, please could you provide the amount that was recovered
by external debt agencies broken down for each of the financial years
referenced?

 

Parking Fines

2021- 22 - £6128.44

2022 - 23 - £4422.48

2023 - 24 to (07/02/24) - £4089.46 – please note that this will continue
to increase though as warrants are collected on over coming months.

 

Council Tax

2021/22 - £532,032.28

2022/23 - £1,170159.84

2023/24 - £874,530.51

 

NNDR

2021/22 - £66,821.70

2023/23 - £62,449.47

2023/24 - £151401.87

 

Over payment of Housing Benefits

2021/22 - £14046.25

2022/23 - £6256.57

2023/24 - £3970.66

 

Sundry Debtors

2021/22 - £1125.07

2022/23 - £2042.30

2023/24 - £207.92

 

 

3) For each of those financial years, please provide the number of
complaints the council has received about the conduct of external bailiffs
and debt collectors –

2021/22 – 0

2022/23 – 0

2023/24 - 0 

 

Right of internal review: If you are dissatisfied with the handling of
your request please contact us in writing, within 40 days of the receipt
of a full response, at: Emma Wisbey Legal and Governance Manager,
Braintree District Council, Causeway House, Bocking End, Braintree, Essex,
CM7 9HB. Or e-mail: [1][Braintree District Council request email]

 

Right to appeal: Should you remain dissatisfied with the outcome of any
internal review, you have a right of appeal under S50 of the Freedom of
Information Act to appeal against the decision by contacting the
Information Commissioner, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow SK9 5AF. Or
e-mail: [2][email address]

 

 

Kind regards,

 

Lucy Day

Performance & Improvement Assistant

Braintree District Council | Causeway House, Bocking End, Braintree, CM7
9HB

 01376 552525| www.braintree.gov.uk

 

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[Braintree District Council request email]
2. mailto:[email address]