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Consideration of recommendation FRP 24/24 of
the Finance, Regeneration and Property Scrutiny Select Committee of
19 November 2024 in respect of debt collection practices and the
challenging financial position faced by many residents.
 
Cabinet had due regard to the views of the
Scrutiny Select Committee, the financial and value for money
considerations and the legal implications and supported the
proposal for a pilot scheme to be commissioned with ReachOut to
engage with residents struggling with debt.
 
RESOLVED: 
That
 

(1)            
a pilot scheme of up to 500 cases be approved and
ReachOut be commissioned to engage with residents struggling with
debt, as set out in 7 of the report, and reconnect those residents
with the Borough Council’s teams in order to resolve their
debts;
 

(2)            
a review of the Corporate Debt Recovery Policy be
approved to reflect the more challenging financial position of
residents; and
 

(3)            
a statement be made highlighting the positive
actions being taken by the Borough Council to engage with residents
and re-emphasising that referrals to bailiffs were only done as a
last resort and that a reduction in the need to use bailiffs would
be targeted.