Children's charity bosses praise town hall over decision to stop bailiffs calling on families with kids at home

[citizenB]

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?452689-Children-s-charity-bosses-praise-town-hall-over-decision-to-stop-bailiffs-calling-on-families-with-kids-at-home-Manche

 

 

 

Bosses at a children’s charity have praised town hall leaders for agreeing to consider a move to more ‘ethical’ ways to collect council taxes - including an end to bailiffs calling on families with children.

 

Council leaders in Stockport agreed to investigate ending visits by enforcement agents to homes with youngsters.

 

The borough’s Labour group tabled a motion on the issue, echoing concerns from the Children’s Society.

 

 

 

Some 7,120 children were living in 4,195 families in council tax debt in the borough in 2013/14. There were 5,665 referrals to enforcement agents by the town hall in an attempt to recover arrears of £4.1m in 2014/15.

 

Pleading for the town hall to explore a more ‘effective and compassionate way’ of chasing council tax debt, Reddish councillor Kate Butler said: “Children in Stockport have been left scared by the intimidating tactics of third party enforcement agents, when a more sustainable approach would be to have early and open dialogue with residents about the challenges they are facing.

 

“All this comes against the background of increasing family debt, with some families only just able to keep their heads above water.”

 

 

 

'Children suffer sleepless nights in fear of bailiffs'

 

The Children’s Society’s Wolf at The Door report highlighted that more than 1.6m children living in 900,000 families across the UK have faced council tax debt in the UK.

 

Chief executive Matthew Reed said it was ‘unacceptable’ that councils are more likely to refer a family in arrears to a bailiff than an independent debt advisor.

 

Following Stockport council’s decision to take action, area director for the north west, Rob Jackson, said: “We warmly welcome Stockport council’s decision to look at ending the practice of sending bailiffs to family homes and some of our other recommendations for supporting families struggling with council tax debt.

 

 

 

 

For the full story http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/childrens-charity-bosses-praise-town-10110772

[brassnecked]

"Chief executive Matthew Reed said it was ‘unacceptable’ that councils are more likely to refer a family in arrears to a bailiff than an independent debt advisor."

 

Absolutely bailiffs compound the issue by making an unpayable debt impossible to clear.

A glimmer of hope then, as children are very upset when the bailiff has their console away.

All councils should look seriously at what is here, in fact where there is an entitlement to benefit, and benefit including tax credit or UC in payment to a family bailiffs should NEVER be used imho.

 

A Boast trick would be to plant an adult game in a child's room to justify taking the console.

 

Wonder what would happen if 9 and 10 year old children kicked and hit the bailiff as he snatched their console after the bailiff thinking he was a Boast-alike using the Ways & Means Act, planted an adult game in their room? probably be tasered by cops and the 10 year old done for assault and obstruction.

[theronstar]

I ran the Children's Society argument past the Revenues Manager when I was discussing bailiffs with him. He said that councils would have to write off so much debt if they were to adopt this measure.

 

Let's watch Stockport Council's financial position, henceforth.

 

As an aside, I don't like the idea of bailiffs snatching a console out of the hand of a 9 year old!

[brassnecked]

I ran the Children's Society argument past the Revenues Manager when I was discussing bailiffs with him. He said that councils would have to write off so much debt if they were to adopt this measure.

 

Let's watch Stockport Council's financial position, henceforth.

 

As an aside, I don't like the idea of bailiffs snatching a console out of the hand of a 9 year old! ;

If they were using it to play a game whilst the bailiff was in the house at the time they couldn't take it as it was in use, same with a Rolex on the wrist, can't touch unless you take it off put it on the table and as it is now not in use the bailiff would snatch it.