Coventry Council Apologises for Threatening Bankruptcy for £42.50!!

[Milo]

Re: Coventry Council Apologises for Threatening Bankruptcy for £42.50!!

Today I received the following Press Article about Coventry City Council:

COVENTRY....BAILIFF GUIDELINES

NEW guidelines protecting vulnerable people from bailiff malpractice have been issued by Coventry City Council.Coventry has agreed guidelines for the bailiff firms it uses to collect council tax.

The new guidelines follow talks with Coventry Citizens’ Advice Bureau (CAB). CAB’s Sophie Parkes told CCR-PS:

“Many vulnerable people in Coventry were experiencing difficulties from unreasonable bailiff behaviour, but the new local guidelines should see a stop to this"

“The council has also become the UK’s first to sign up to a national good practice protocol in council tax collection.”

The guidelines encourage early identification of vulnerable clients, and state their cases should be referred back to the council or bailiff ‘vulnerability teams’ for sensitive handling.

Councillor Damian Gannon, cabinet member for Strategic Finance and Resources, said:

“At a time when families and working people are struggling with the rising cost of living, it is important the council works with Advice Services Coventry and agencies like the CAB so problems with council tax collection can be avoided.”

[CleverClogs]

Re: Coventry Council Apologises for Threatening Bankruptcy for £42.50!!

“Many vulnerable people in Coventry were experiencing difficulties from unreasonable bailiff behaviour, but the new local guidelines should see a stop to this"

But won't.

[labman]

Re: Coventry Council Apologises for Threatening Bankruptcy for £42.50!!

“The council has also become the UK’s first to sign up to a national good practice protocol in council tax collection.”

This might be enough to save their neck sadly, as I don't believe councils have been asked to sign up to the new guidelines, I think they're expected to follow them.

Putting a headline that you're the first to 'sign up' to the guidelines is very good (and clever) press when you have been threatening BK for just £42.50. Their press officer has played a clever card there, as most people will not realise the truth of the situation.

[CleverClogs]

Re: Coventry Council Apologises for Threatening Bankruptcy for £42.50!!

Putting a headline that you're the first to 'sign up' to the guidelines is very good (and clever) press when you have been threatening BK for just £42.50. Their press officer has played a clever card there, as most people will not realise the truth of the situation.

Press officer: (n) An otherwise honest man, paid to tell lies on behalf of his employer.

[cornish pasty]

Re: Coventry Council Apologises for Threatening Bankruptcy for £42.50!!

Aye, covering their backs and making out they are shiny clean and somehow making amends for things that are yet to happen. We all know different, to be honest I expected nothing less from the likes of CCC, they think they are untouchable, always have done. But I think I am going to push this as far as possible.

It about time the public knew just how far CCC & Newlyns will stoop, to collect CT.

I hope others in similar curcumstances will come forward and make official complaints. I can't be the only one this has happened to, I am not that special to be singled out for treatment like this

[cornish pasty]

Re: Coventry Council Apologises for Threatening Bankruptcy for £42.50!!

Bit of interesting reading about Newlyn plc:

http://www.landofthefree.co.uk/site/...ose-court-case

[cornish pasty]

Re: Coventry Council Apologises for Threatening Bankruptcy for £42.50!!

Still no sign of this appology, totally disgusted by their inability to do anything they say, even after 100's of people have had this farse brought to their attention. I just cannot find words to describe CCC pesistant lies, well none you could print on here.
I am hoping to move out of the area shortly, so CCC you will never ever get another penny out of me.

[CleverClogs]

Re: Coventry Council Apologises for Threatening Bankruptcy for £42.50!!

Still no sign of this apology

They may have been wrongly advised that, if they were to apologise, they would "become" liable for the antics of the bunch of bailiffs they saw fit to appoint.

They already were and remain vicariously liable!

Hence, their refusal to apologise may subsequently be remembered in compensation or damages.

[labman]

Re: Coventry Council Apologises for Threatening Bankruptcy for £42.50!!

Still no sign of this appology, totally disgusted by their inability to do anything they say, even after 100's of people have had this farse brought to their attention. I just cannot find words to describe CCC pesistant lies, well none you could print on here.
I am hoping to move out of the area shortly, so CCC you will never ever get another penny out of me.

Has anything happened re the newspaper contact etc....? This really should be published as wide as possible before too much more time passes.

[labman]

Re: Coventry Council Apologises for Threatening Bankruptcy for £42.50!!

I would suggest if the site is not going to take the opportunity to publicise this, the OP takes matters into his own hands and contacts his local press immediately, pointing them to this thread. I would also contact a national such as The Sun which may well run with this type of story.

[CleverClogs]

Re: Coventry Council Apologises for Threatening Bankruptcy for £42.50!!

As well as Private Eye, for their Rotten Boroughs section in the colour pages.

Private Eye
6 Carlisle Street, London, W1D 3BN, UK
Tel: 020 7437 4017
Fax: 020 7437 0705
Email: strobes@private-eye.co.uk

[labman]

Re: Coventry Council Apologises for Threatening Bankruptcy for £42.50!!

Excellent suggestion CC! I forgot about dear Ian.

[charitynjw]

Re: Coventry Council Apologises for Threatening Bankruptcy for £42.50!!

Excellent suggestion CC! I forgot about dear Ian.

Forgotten dear Ian?

If that's justice, I'm a banana!

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/pe...e-2276884.html

[cornish pasty]

Re: Coventry Council Apologises for Threatening Bankruptcy for £42.50!!

Well the appologies have arrived for what they are worth.
these have just been sent to assist their defence should the matter go further.
They have been seen to address the situation.
They are still laying the blame with each other.

[ploddertom]

Re: Coventry Council Apologises for Threatening Bankruptcy for £42.50!!

May have missed this previously so apologies if it is a repeat. What have your local Councillor(s) said about this debacle? Also have you involved the Leader of the Council?