News
Barnet Council signs Citizens Advice Council Tax Protocol following ‘Engage Don’t Enforce’ campaign
30th October 2026
-
Share this:
- Share on facebook
- Share on twitter
- Share on linkedin
Chipping Barnet Foodbank is delighted to announce an important milestone in our ‘Engage Don’t Enforce’ campaign, led in partnership with our friends at Citizens Advice Barnet, calling for a fairer, more supportive and dignified approach to the collection of Council Tax debt in Barnet.
For more than a year, the campaign has brought together organisations and supporters from across the borough and beyond. Through regular collaborative meetings with senior council officers and senior politicians, we have been working towards a shared approach to Council Tax debt recovery that better supports residents experiencing financial hardship and reduces reliance on debt enforcement agents (bailiffs).
Progress through partnership
This collaborative work has already resulted in some important developments, including the publication of Barnet Council’s Council Tax Vulnerability Statement and a commitment not to use enforcement where residents receive the maximum Council Tax Reduction, currently set at 70%.
A significant milestone came today with the formal signing of the Citizens Advice Council Tax Protocol, a recognised good-practice framework for the fair and responsible collection of Council Tax arrears.
The protocol sets out principles designed to ensure residents are treated with dignity and understanding. These include encouraging early engagement, making sure residents can access appropriate advice and support, and offering affordable and flexible repayment arrangements that take individual circumstances into account.
A more supportive approach to tackling poverty
At Chipping Barnet Foodbank, we see first-hand the impact that financial hardship and debt can have on individuals and families. Council Tax arrears can add further pressure to households already struggling to manage essential living costs.
We believe that early intervention, access to advice and a more understanding approach to debt recovery can make a real difference, helping residents address their financial difficulties before they escalate.
We are proud to have been part of this campaign alongside Citizens Advice Barnet and are grateful to everyone who has supported and contributed to the work.
We look forward to continuing to work with Barnet Council to build on this progress and help create a fairer, more compassionate approach to Council Tax collection.
Find out more:
