Issue - meetings

Cabinet received and noted a report from the Cabinet Member for Finance, Revenues and Benefits on the value and type of debts written off from the Income and Collection, Rents and Benefits Service areas as uncollectable for the fourth quarter (January to March 2011) of the 2010/11 financial year, together with comparable information for the first three quarters of the year. 

It was noted that the Council’s debt write-off policy was being reviewed in conjunction with Elevate, a report on which would be presented to Cabinet later in the summer, and officers were asked to ensure that the policy reflected the distinction between those who chose not to pay and those that were unable to pay.

During the discussions, issues were raised in the context of debt management regarding the current policy that required Council tenants to give a mandatory 28 days notice of termination, the flow of information between Council departments and services, the arrangements in relation to debts arising from the Council’s managed commercial property portfolio and bailiff services provided on behalf of the Council.  In respect of the latter two issues, it was agreed that the relevant Select Committee be requested to look into the services provided to the Council, with reports on the other issues being presented to Cabinet Members as appropriate in due course.