BAILIFFS are being called on low-income Wokingham households who are struggling to pay their council tax before they can “really consider their options”.

That’s the message from councillor Rachel Burgess, who is urging Wokingham Borough Council to refrain from using bailiffs to recover council tax debt from people entitled to council tax reductions.

In Wokingham, a person can receive a council tax reduction if they are on a low income and have less than £4,000 in savings. Pensioners with less than £16,000 in savings can also get a reduction.

Cllr Burgess (Labour) said: “People, especially if they’re seeking debt advice, should be given a chance to really consider their options before they get a letter and a knock from the bailiff.

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“The Tories will say the bailiffs are always the last resort, but the stats don’t suggest that.”

Between 2016 and 2019, the number of cases when bailiffs were called to recover council tax debt in Wokingham rose by 71 per cent, from 1,306 to 2,239.

At a full council meeting on September 17, Cllr Burgess will call on the Conservative-run council to adopt the Council Tax Protocol, for the third time in as many meetings.

She said: “This is about putting in place measures to help vulnerable people who are struggling to pay their council tax and make sure they are treated fairly and can get proper advice before bailiffs are called.

“If they receive a scary letter from the council and have other complications in their life, it can be very difficult to deal with.

“Debt problems can really affect people’s mental health.”

She added: “The council’s Executive actually agreed to sign the protocol last month.

“But this motion is about putting it into practice. The motion says they have to adopt it and put these measures in place.”

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The protocol states that when a person who is vulnerable or receiving council tax support fails to pay their council tax, the council “should consider matters carefully” before calling bailiffs.

It says councils and bailiffs should consider offering 28 days of “breathing space” if the person is seeking debt advice from an accredited advice provider.

It also says council can suspend recovery if the person has an outstanding claim for benefits or council tax support and it is “contributing to their arrears”.

It adds: “Each case should be examined on its merits and repayment arrangements need to be affordable and sustainable, while ensuring that the debt is paid off within a reasonable period.

“Where appropriate, local authorities should provide the flexibility to spread repayments over more than a year, including beyond the end of a financial year.”

The Council Tax Protocol has been endorsed by Citizens Advice and the Local Government Association.

At Thursday’s meeting, Cllr Burgess will also ask the council to make care leavers exempt from paying Council Tax until they turn 25.