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Strategies, policies and plans
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Recovering debts
The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham has a Debt Management Policy.
We have a duty to recover outstanding debts and in doing so ensures that our processes are fair to everyone, particularly in the current economic climate.
A corporate debt management policy will ensure:
- we minimise debt and maximise rates of collection
- we are consistent in our approach
- we assist customers who experience financial difficulty
This policy applies to all sums owing to the council and has been developed to ensure a consistent approach to the management of debts across the council.
The main types of debt are:
- Council Tax
- Housing Benefit overpayments
when benefit is paid that the claimant is not entitled to - General income
fees and charges made for a wide range of council services such as adult social care.
General income also includes loan repayments and salary overpayments - Business Rates
- Rent for council properties
including houses and flats, garages and commercial property
Council's Debt Management Policy (PDF, 301.16 KB)