Pilot scheme will see councils and advice services work
more closely together.
Extra help for people struggling with council tax debt will be on
offer in three local authority areas under a pilot scheme.
The Scottish Government is providing Citizens Advice Scotland
with £200,000 funding to better understand the reasons why some
people end up in council tax arrears and to work collaboratively
with local councils to help reduce and prevent council tax debt
in future.
Citizen’s Advice Bureaux in Renfrewshire, Clackmannanshire and
the Scottish Borders will test different ways of working
including:
- Providing targeted support to individuals facing council tax
debt
- Simplifying the referral processes between councils and
advice services
- Organising mutual training sessions for council and Citizens
Advice staff
Housing Minister visited Roxburgh and
Berwickshire Citizen’s Advice Bureau to launch the
project.
Mr McLennan said:
“We know many people are struggling in the cost of living crisis
and that is why we are targeting resources at those most in need.
“Council tax debt is a significant issue, and one that
particularly affects the most vulnerable. The three Bureaux
involved in these pilots have established relationships with
their local authorities. This funding will help build on those
connections to help individuals tackle problem debt and also
provide valuable learning on how public sector debt can best be
managed.
“Advice services are critical to Scotland’s communities,
supporting people to understand their rights and entitlements,
maximising incomes and helping to reduce poverty. This year we
will invest more than £12.5 million in a range of advice services
providing free income maximisation, welfare and debt
advice.”
Myles Fitt, Financial Health Strategic Lead at Citizens Advice
Scotland said:
“Council tax debt is the single biggest debt issue that clients
bring to the CAB Service each year. The cost-of-living crisis is
only worsening this problem, so we welcome the opportunity this
funding provides to make a difference to peoples’ lives and
financial well-being.
“Through working in partnership with councils, the three bureaux
involved in this pilot will bring their deep insight into the
factors and barriers that lie behind council tax debt to develop
joint solutions that will help those in arrears now and in the
future.”
