NEWLY-RELEASED figures have revealed Teignbridge Council referred 999 debts to bailiffs in 2022/2023, prompting renewed calls for improvements to be made to the council’s debt collection practices.

National Debtline, the free advice service, and the Centre for Social Justice have written to the leader of the authority urging the council commits to improve the way it collects council tax arrears and other debts.

Teignbridge Council figures, revealed in response to a Freedom of Information request, show the authority referred 999 debts to bailiffs in the 2022/23 financial year.

This is a 67per cent decrease on pre-pandemic levels. 

But the charity says bailiff use remains too high, with action needed to improve collection practices so fewer debts are sent to bailiffs in the first place.

Locally, the service is calling for Teignbridge Council to adopt all of its ‘six steps’ to improve collection practices. 

This includes exempting residents receiving local Council Tax Support from any form of bailiff action.

Bailiffs, known officially as enforcement agents, have the right to visit a property and can remove and sell goods to repay certain debts, including council tax arrears, parking penalty charge notices and other debts.

National Debtline is calling for national changes from Government to help reduce and reform bailiff action, including through new ring-fenced funding for councils to provide 100per cent Council Tax Support schemes for those on the lowest incomes.

Steve Vaid, chief executive of the Money Advice Trust, the charity that runs National Debtline, said: ‘Local authorities remain under significant financial pressure and council tax plays a crucial role in funding vital local services.

‘Facing bailiff action, however, can be a distressing experience and risks pushing people already struggling into deeper financial difficulty. Bailiffs should only ever be used as a last resort.

‘The fact Teignbridge District Council has decreased its use of bailiffs to collect debts is welcome, but there is more to be done to improve debt collection practices.  

‘We are also calling on the new government to support Teignbridge and other councils by introducing ring-fenced funding to enable all local authorities to provide 100 percent Council Tax Support to households on the lowest incomes.’

Teignbridge Council has been asked for a response.