In a shift in policy, Bristol City Council has recently defended an increase in the use of Enforcement Agents to enforce council tax debts.

This follows growing public outcry.

The stats reveal that a staggering one in eight households in Bristol received Enforcement Agents' letters concerning council tax arrears over the past year.

Opposing groups have said that the surge contradicts the council's own stated commitment to a "fair and proportionate recovery and enforcement process," which allegedly considers the vulnerability of debtors before escalating cases to Enforcement Agents.

The previous year, spanning 2022-23, saw Bristol City Council delegate just 93 council tax debts to private Enforcement Agencies. This is a stark contrast that was driven by a temporary halt in collections during the COVID-19 pandemic and an ethical debt collection policy adopted by the Labour administration.

This policy, which emphasised compassion and understanding in debt recovery, aligned with the values upheld by the current ruling Green Party.

The landscape of Council tax enforcement flipped dramatically in the subsequent year though, culminating in an eye-watering 27,146 cases passed to Enforcement Agents by April 2024.

The increasing reliance on Enforcement Agents has ignited a political storm, with the tenant advocacy group Acorn leading the charge against what they term as a "brutal" approach to debt recovery.

The organisation argues that the council's transition to employing Enforcement Agents undermines promises made regarding the treatment of vulnerable individuals facing financial challenges.

Acorn's concerns centre around the lived experiences of many residents. They argue that the safeguards purportedly in place to protect struggling debtors have proven ineffective.

Discussions about the ethical ramifications of these practices are ongoing. The council maintains that escalation to Enforcement Agents is a last resort, employed only after all other avenues have been exhausted.

This assertion has been met with scepticism from advocates who insist that the rapid referral of debt to Enforcement Agents reflects a systemic issue within the council's approach to revenue collection.

In response to the growing backlash, a Bristol City Council spokesperson offered insight into their current debt recovery practices.

They emphasised that there is a multi-step process which is employed before cases are escalated to Enforcement Agents.

"People who miss an instalment are sent a pre-reminder urging them to pay or to contact the council if they are in difficulty," they stated.

"Where there has been no response, and the amount remains unpaid, they will be sent a formal reminder, followed by a final reminder before a summons is issued."

The spokesperson further clarified that a liability order is granted only after these initial notices have gone unanswered, providing yet another opportunity for taxpayers to reach out for assistance.

"A further letter is issued, giving a further opportunity for the council taxpayer to contact us before their case is passed to Enforcement Agents for collection."

They mentioned that Enforcement Agents would also attempt to contact the taxpayer, providing one last chance to arrange payment before any fees accrue.

"Cases are only sent to Enforcement Agents when the person has not engaged or maintained agreed repayment plans, and we are left with no other options," the spokesperson explained.

This backs up the council's claim that they prioritise communication and support over punitive measures.

The council also reinforced its commitment to a fair and proportionate approach to debt recovery, as outlined in their official debt management policy.

"The council will follow a fair and proportionate recovery and enforcement process and give due consideration to vulnerability," the policy states. It also notes that Enforcement Agents would only be utilised when other recovery methods have failed or are deemed inappropriate.

Despite these assurances though, tenant advocacy groups like Acorn remain unconvinced.

Many residents have reported feeling overwhelmed and abandoned by the system, suggesting that the council's proactive avenues for engagement have not been clearly communicated or are ineffective in practice.

The tension between the council's narrative of compassion and the lived experiences of vulnerable residents is clear to see. Advocacy groups are calling for a transparent review of the enforcement process, urging the council to enhance its support systems and reconsider its current reliance on private bailiff firms.

"Life in Bristol is tough enough," said Wesley Bear, the branch secretary of Acorn in Bristol.

"Using Enforcement Agents to recover debts is a brutal, outdated practice that inflicts humiliation and fear on those who are already struggling. These Enforcement Agents often seize cherished, sentimental items-not for the value, but to intimidate people into paying debts swollen by exploitative fees."

Bear emphasised Acorn's commitment to standing up against what they view as an oppressive system.

"Acorn will not stand by while our community is bullied. We pledge to beat the Enforcement Agents and put an end to this oppressive system in our city once and for all," he added.

The organisation has complied a long list of vulnerable individuals who have been pursued by Enforcement Agents for council tax debts that have escalated due to high fees added by these enforcement agents.

At CES, we recognise the issues raised by both advocacy groups and the council.

The reality remains, however, that debts must be addressed.

Bristol City Council has a substantial financial obligation to maintain public services, and with one in eight residents reportedly behind on council tax payments, the implications for public funds are significant.

The council has a responsibility to the community to ensure that public services can continue.

There is always a balance to be found between financial responsibility and social compassion.

The efforts by Acorn to empower the vulnerable may be seen as necessary by their supporters, but as we see it, the council's debt recovery practices seem to bear this in mind already.

Bristol's journey in addressing these issues could set a precedent for how other cities approach council tax collection and support for vulnerable residents in the future.

We'll be keeping a close eye on how this one plays out.

Finally, we have to reiterate that Court Enforcement Specialists has zero tolerance for 'bullying' tactics and we always operate ethically and fairly, with close regard for vulnerability.

Whilst we can't speak for all enforcement companies up and down the country, we are committed to changing the face of enforcement through every assignment we undertake.