1. I would like to know how much money, if any has been recovered using bailiffs (debt collection agencies) in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, broken down to the amount by year, for the following debts:
• Council tax arrears
2018/19: £709,700.17
2019/20: £453,151.93
2020/21: £222,671.51
2021/22: £523,190.56
2022/23: £526,506.14
2023/24: £96,751.25
• Housing Benefit Overpayment
2018/19: £0.00
2019/20: £1428.41
2020/21: £2314.04
2021/22: £1097.84
2022/23: £790.00
2023/24: £170.00
• parking penalty charges
2018: £25,603.00
2019: £35,901.90
2020: £11,965.00
2021: £38,951.00
2022: £36,822.00
2023 to date: £8,238.00.

2. I would also like to see the policy documents regarding the use of bailiffs and the details of any complaints lodged against the council's use of bailiffs.
For Council Tax, the use of Enforcement Agents is set out by legislation. The legislation is the Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992. On the award of a Liability Order by the Magistrates? Court, an Enforcement Agent can be instructed to enforce payment of outstanding Council Tax. Wokingham Borough Council?s use of Enforcement Agents for Council Tax collection is based on the process set out by the regulations. We do not currently have a policy document regarding the use of Enforcement Agents.
Details (number of) Council Tax complaints regarding use of bailiffs
2018/19: 1
2019/20: 2
2020/21: 1
2021/22: 3
2022/23: 7
2023/24: 1

For Housing benefit overpayment - There is no policy regarding the use of Collection Agents/Enforcement Agents in respect of these debts. Debts are referred to agents as a last resort once all other avenues of recovery have been explored.
There have been no complaints in relation to the use of Collection Agents in respect of these debts.

The council works with our bailiff service under the traffic Management Act Statutory Guidence for the execution of warrants set out in part 3 of the schedule 12 of the Tribunal, Courts, and enforcement Act 2007 and the taking control of goods regulations 2013 and the taking control of goods (fees) National standards 2014. Complaints lodged with the bailiff service.
2018: 1
2019: 2
2020: 1
2021: 4
2022: 4
2023 to date: 3

3. If possible I would also like to know how much the council is spending on contracts with debt collection agencies.
For Council Tax there is no cost to the council for the use of Enforcement Agents.
For Housing Benefit overpayments - The Local Authority have paid £46.50 in 2022/23 and £7.50 in the current year in respect of these activities. There have been no charges associated with the cost of collection in earlier years.
For Highways they do not pay for the bailiff contract service provided by NSL.