BAILIFFS have been sent to collect debts in Bromsgrove 455 times over the last 12 months on behalf of Bromsgrove District Council according to new research released by the Money Advice Trust.

The charity, which runs National Debtline, says that the figure shows more needs to be done to help people in financial difficulty in the town.

The figure came as a result of a Freedom of Information Request to the council, which had been chasing up £2.7million in unpaid council tax over the 2014/15 financial year.

Bromsgrove district came toward the bottom of council across the country for implementing bailiffs, at 309 out of 326 councils investigated in England and Wales.

Last year National Debtline provided free advice to 118 residents in the Bromsgrove area, and the charity has written to the leader of the council with details of its latest research on bailiff use, calling for improvements to debt collection practices, so that people who are struggling receive free advice.

Joanna Elson OBE, chief executive of the Money Advice Trust, the charity that runs National Debtline, said: “Local councils are facing significant funding pressures – and they of course have a duty to collect what they are owed. In the case of council tax this is crucial in ensuring proper funding for the services that local people rely on.

"I would like to congratulate Bromsgrove District Council on reducing its reliance on bailiffs for debt collection over the last two years. The council’s use of bailiffs, however, remains too high. On the front line of debt advice we know that sending the bailiffs in can deepen debt problems, rather than solve them – and it can also have a severe impact on the wellbeing of people who are often already in a vulnerable situation.

“Bailiff action is not only harmful to those in arrears – it is also a poor deal for the council taxpayer. Our research shows that the councils who use bailiffs the most are actually less effective at collecting council tax arrears. That’s why we are urging councillors to consider ways they can continue to improve the council’s debt collection practices, and ensure that bailiffs are only used as an absolute last resort.

“I would urge anyone in Bromsgrove who is struggling to cope with council tax arrears, or any other type of debt, to seek free advice from National Debtline as soon as possible.”

Anyone struggling to cope with council tax arrears or any other kind of debt can seek free advice from National Debtline at nationaldebtline.org or by calling 0808 8084000.