Council to rein in bailiff service

BAILIFF services used within the borough could be brought back under council control.

A proposal is being drafted to bring the service back “in house” to ensure ethical standards.

Bailiff services across the country came under scrutiny last night in “Exposure: Bailiffs”, a programme aired on ITV.

The programme showed a bailiff working for the debt collection firm Rossendales, that provides services for almost 150 councils, breaking several guidelines while filmed by an undercover reporter.

Plans are now in place for Oldham Council, which has used the firm, to take control of debt recovery itself.

Councillor Abdul Jabbar, cabinet member for finance and resources, said: “Oldham Council operates an ethical debt recovery policy that is firm but fair — making a clear distinction between genuine hardship and those individuals evading payment for personal financial gain.

“In protecting services to residents it is crucial we recover public money owed by third parties to ensure law-abiding residents and businesses do not have to make up the shortfall.

“We are also committed to fair and consistent approach in debt recovery and are shortly planning to bring forward proposals to bring our bailiff service back ‘in house’.”

Alongside such a shift, partners and services would also continue to help people with debt advice.

Speaking about the footage on the ITV programme council leader Jim McMahon said: “If there is any justification for bringing bailiff services in house it is there.

“It’s not just about re-badging us as co-operative, this is a fundamental shift in behaviour of the council and we act in the public interest.”

The suggestion has prompted anger from Liberal Democrat councillor Lynne Thompson.

She said: “Councillor McMahon has repeatedly alleged that bailiffs acting for Oldham Council have behaved unethically but failed to provide the evidence.

“The Liberal Democrat administration undertook to terminate any bailiff service found guilty of serious or consistent malpractice, and we asked for details.

“Any who fall short must go, but the decision should follow the evidence.”

A report outlining the options available to the council is currently being prepared and is provisionally scheduled to go before the cabinet for discussion on November 28.