Issue - items at meetings - Financial Inclusion - Debt Collection and Recovery Policy

Report of the Executive Director for Finance & Resources (copy attached).

1.                  That the Corporate Debt Collection & Recovery Policy at Appendix 1 to the report be approved;

2.                  That the proposed Action Plan at Appendix 2 to the report be approved; and

3.                  That it be noted that the policy and its effectiveness would be the subject of ongoing review and any necessary amendments reported back to the committee for consideration.

57.1         The Executive Director for Finance & Resources introduced the report and stated that there had been significant changes to Welfare Reform which had led to a review of the Debt Collection and Recovery Policy.  She stated that where individuals notified the council that they were in difficulties, the council would look to support them, however if they chose not to engage with the council then officers would seek to recover the debt.

57.2         Councillor Littman welcomed the report and stated that it was a good example of joint working with other agencies and hoped that more councillors and officers would join the credit union.  He had also attended a conference recently concerning the financial exclusion in the private sector and this was something that needed to be looked at bearing in mind the number of private rented dwellings in the city.

57.3         Councillor A. Norman welcomed the report and the approach to actively help those in financial difficulties and she fully supported the recommendations.

57.4         Councillor Lepper also welcomed the report and noted that there were a number of residents who were being driven to using pay day lenders and queried how the information that the council was offering support was being publicised.  She felt that the council’s web site was difficult to navigate and whilst the report’s appendix listing other organisations that can help was excellent, it needed to be made available to those who were in need.  

57.5         The Executive Director for Finance & Resources stated that officers were actively reviewing the communication process and working with the Money Advice Service to ensure as much information as possible was made available in regard to the support available and who could be contacted for help.

57.6         The Chair noted that officers were also talking to the local banks as part of the financial inclusion process and hoped that this would result in further assistance being made available.  He then put the recommendations to the vote.

57.7         RESOLVED:

(1)               That the Corporate Debt Collection & Recovery Policy at Appendix 1 to the report be approved;

(2)               That the proposed Action Plan at Appendix 2 to the report be approved; and

(3)               That it be noted that the policy and its effectiveness would be the subject of ongoing review and any necessary amendments reported back to the committee for consideration.