Brighton & Hove has a reputation for being a progressive beacon. Since taking administration in 2023 from the Green Party, the Labour and Co-operative Group found that under the surface there was a lot of work to be still to be done to truly live up to that ideal. One of these areas was in how we collect debt from our residents.

Councils have a legal responsibility to recover public debt be that council tax, parking fines, business rates or rents. Poor collection performance can have serious impacts on the ability to provide and maintain appropriate service levels and standards to meet statutory duties.

We have taken a pioneering step in embedding fairness, transparency, and co-operative values into public finance with the adoption of a newly restructured Corporate Debt Management Policy. Approved by the Council’s Cabinet in March 2025, the policy ensures that debt collection is not only effective but also ethical, compassionate, and tailored to the real-life circumstances of vulnerable residents.

In essence, we want the money we are owed in order to plough it back into public services for residents – but without bailiffs traumatising vulnerable residents in the process and pushing them into poverty by taking the last bit of cash they have available.

The revised policy recognises that debt and hardship are not just financial issues but also social, ethical, and public health concerns. We now place a strong emphasis on identifying and supporting households in hardship from the outset. This includes a continued commitment to limiting the use of enforcement agents (like bailiffs) and taking control of goods from residents on Council Tax Reduction or those recognised as financially vulnerable. Instead, the policy invests in early intervention to help those slipping into poverty by offering tailored advice, signposting to welfare support, access benefit entitlements, and plan flexibility in repayment arrangements.

There is a well-established link between mental health and financial stability. Our updated Policy reflects best practice and is supported by a welfare structure that recognises the health challenges associated with debt. Staff are trained to identify potential health concerns and to refer individuals to appropriate specialist advice and support services.

In the rare cases where enforcement agents are employed, we clearly define the controls in place to ensure all enforcement action operates in full compliance with the law, relevant regulations, and best practice, alongside fully complying with firm ethical requirements.

Brighton & Hove’s Corporate Debt Policy provides a blueprint for councils across the country looking to reconcile fiscal responsibility with social justice. We have set the bar high in our mission to deliver fairness alongside robust financial stewardship.

It is a shining example of co-operative values in action: fairness, solidarity, and financial sustainability. We are proud to say this is one of the most progressive and ethical debt policies in the country – as suits a city like Brighton and Hove.