What expectations does the Welsh Government have regarding councils pursuing individuals for council tax debts?
All councils in Wales have committed to implementing the Council Tax Protocol for Wales. This is an important step in changing the culture of council tax enforcement. One of the key requirements of the Protocol is that each council provides effective support for people in managing their council tax liability and offers suitable support should they fall into debt.
The use of enforcement action should always be a last resort. In November 2023 all council leaders in Wales committed to only using accredited firms to collect local taxes, making Wales the first nation in the UK to adopt this approach. This provides individuals with certainty that enforcement agencies and their bailiffs will act in accordance with their commitments to the Enforcement Conduct Board and follow agency standards.
The Welsh Government is committed to ensuring the collection of arrears is managed in a just and sensitive way. We are continuing to work with local councils and advice agencies in Wales to adopt a more people-centred approach to the collection of council tax.