Issue - meetings

A REPORT FROM THE CABINET MEMBER FOR FINANCE AND HOUSING, COUNCILLOR O’BRIEN IS ATTACHED.

Councillor O’Brien, Cabinet Member for Finance & Housing attended the meeting to present this item, however, it was assumed that all members of the committee had read the report and the following questions and comments were made:

Councillor Harris asked if, based on the levels of bad debt reported, we had not got to grips with this and what plans were for collection.

Councillor O’Brien noted this concern, reflecting that a lot of this is due to the roll out of Universal Credit, the impact of which has been recognised by the Government.  He confirmed that there were a range of initiatives in place to collect this debt, such as teams in Six Town Housing and work with Citizens’ Advice. 

Councillor O’Brien also pointed out that, while we should not be complacent, our levels of bad debt provision are adequate.

Councillor Caserta asked for Mike Woodhead’s views and also whether the Council Tax team, reported as successful in the past, still existed.

Mike Woodhead confirmed that arrears can be volatile but we are strengthening our debt recovery processes and looking to improve all the time.

Councillor O’Brien confirmed the Council Tax team still existed and were successful.  Work was ongoing to look to replicate their success in the collection of housing debts.

It was agreed:

The report be noted.