EASTBOURNE Borough Council has approved a new approach to recovering unpaid debts, which it says will provide greater support for residents and businesses facing financial difficulties while ensuring money owed to the authority is collected fairly.
The policy, agreed by cabinet members on Wednesday (June 10), introduces a more consistent framework for billing, collecting and recovering outstanding payments. Council leaders say the approach places a stronger focus on early engagement with debtors, recognising vulnerable individuals and agreeing realistic repayment plans wherever possible.
Councillor Daniel Butcher, Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Community Wealth Building, said: “We are making sure that we take a fair, consistent and compassionate approach to debt recovery. We know that many residents do want to pay what they owe, but at times may need support, flexibility and early help to get back on track. By setting out a clear approach, we can improve how we work with people in financial difficulty while also meeting our responsibility to collect income owed to the council.”
The Corporate Debt Policy covers council tax, rents, housing benefit overpayments, business rates and other money owed to the council. It aims to ensure residents and businesses are treated consistently regardless of the type of debt they owe, while making clear the expectations on customers to engage early if they are having difficulty paying. The policy also recognises that some households may face financial hardship, vulnerability or safeguarding issues, and sets out how officers will take a holistic and proportionate approach to recovery.
Public consultation on the draft policy showed strong support for its key principles, including early intervention and prevention. By helping identify financial difficulty sooner, the policy will support better outcomes for residents, reduce the risk of debts escalating, and help services recover income more effectively while avoiding unnecessary enforcement action where support and engagement can resolve problems earlier.
Councillor Butcher added: “We are placing a strong emphasis on early engagement and identifying vulnerability at the earliest opportunity, which is crucial if we are to prevent debt from escalating and reduce the risk anyone losing their home. It also helps ensure that residents and businesses are treated consistently, with clear information about what support is available and what action may be taken if debts remain unpaid.”
