Decision details

In March 2016, the Deputy Leader approved revisions to the council's debt management policy. Under the current policy, where accounts remain unpaid following an initial reminder process, debt collection action varies according to the value of the debt:

• For debt of £25 to £1,500, debt collection is to be taken forward by debt collectors.
• For debt over £1,500, debt collection action is to be taken forward by the council's legal services.

In January 2018, Cabinet approved the procurement of a debt collection service via the supplier Debt Market Integrator. In order to enable the utilisation of this contract to greater effect and increase the levels of income recovered, it is proposed that the limit on debt referrals to a debt collection agency be removed allowing decisions on debt recovery to be determined on a case by case basis.

All other stipulations, including the procedure for the collection of social care debt, are proposed to remain unchanged from the policies and procedures agreed in 2016.

Cabinet approved the recommendation as set out in the report.