Freedom of information response
Bailiffs
I would like to know how much money, if any has been recovered using bailiffs (debt collection agencies) in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, broken down to the amount by year, for the following debts:
- council tax arrears
- parking penalty charges
- Housing Benefit overpayments.
I would also like to see the policy documents regarding the use of bailiffs and the details of any complaints lodged against the council's use of bailiffs.
If possible I would also like to know how much the council is spending on contracts with debt collection agencies.
| Year | Council Tax - Liability Order Collections via Enforcement Agents |
|---|---|
| 2018/19 | £796,113.50 |
| 2019/20 | £793,121.62 |
| 2020/21 | £270,540.02 |
| 2021/22 | £1,041,882.77 |
| 2022/23 | £1,646,338.87 |
| 2023 to date | £202,887.56 |
| Total | £4,750,884.34 |
| Year | Council Tax - DCA Collections |
|---|---|
| 2018/19 | £14,003.29 |
| 2019/20 | £12,177.82 |
| 2020/21 | £16,191.85 |
| 2021/22 | £57,989.24 |
| 2022/23 | £38,933.57 |
| 2023 to date | £2,555.66 |
| Total | £141,851.42 |
| Year | Over Payments Housing Benefits - DCA Collections |
|---|---|
| 2018/19 | £0.00 |
| 2019/20 | £3,654.91 |
| 2020/21 | £35,833.31 |
| 2021/22 | £79,779.50 |
| 2022/23 | £69,014.17 |
| 2023 to date | £13,708.30 |
| Total | £201,990.19 |
| Year | Parking - via Warrants with Enforcement Agents |
|---|---|
| 2018/19 | £26,032.39 |
| 2019/20 | £36,549.99 |
| 2020/21 | £25,198.59 |
| 2021/22 | £65,044.75 |
| 2022/23 | £42,065.65 |
| 2023 to date | £20,000.00 |
| Total | £214,891.37 |
| Year | Total |
|---|---|
| 2018/19 | £836,149.18 |
| 2019/20 | £845,504.34 |
| 2020/21 | £347,763.77 |
| 2021/22 | £1,244,696.26 |
| 2022/23 | £1,796,352.26 |
| 2023 to date | £239,151.52 |
| Total | £5,309,617.32 |
The Fair Debt Policy covers all aspects of collection please see link: https://www.thurrock.gov.uk/help-with-money/debt-and-money-advice
For Debt Collection Agencies (not Enforcement Agents – Bailiffs) there is no direct costs. Relationship is based on a commission basis. For Enforcement Agents (Bailiffs) 'The Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014' are applied - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/1/contents/made
You are free to use any information supplied to you for your own use, including non-commercial research purposes. However, any other type of re-use, for example, by publishing the information or issuing copies to the public will require the permission of the copyright owner.
Where the copyright is owned by Thurrock Council, you must apply to the Council to re-use the information. Please email information.matters@thurrock.gov.uk if you wish to re-use the information you have been supplied. For information where the copyright is owned by another person or organisation, you must apply to the copyright owner to obtain their permission.
If you are dissatisfied with the way in which the council have managed your FOI request you can pursue an Internal Review by contacting us using the above email address. An internal review must be submitted within 40 working days of your original reply. Your request will be considered by a senior member of the Information Management Team who will update you with the outcome of the review.
If you remain unhappy following the outcome of your Internal Review you may wish to refer your case to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and details of this organisation can be found at www.ico.org.uk . Please be advised that the ICO will not consider your case until they have confirmation that you have already been through the Internal Review stage with the council.