In a rare turn of events, Forest of Dean District Council in Gloucestershire faced a visit from bailiffs seeking repayment of debts owed to a resident. Typically, enforcement agents act on behalf of councils to recover unpaid council tax, but last November, this role was unexpectedly reversed.
The bailiffs' visit was linked to one of 93 planning and enforcement appeals the council lost over the past seven years. Councillor Bernie O’Neill (Progressive Independents, Ruspidge) described the situation as “shocking” during a full council meeting, revealing that seven additional cases remain unresolved. He pressed council leader Adrian Birch (Green, Tidenham) to confirm whether bailiffs had indeed been required to collect costs due to the council’s failure to pay.
Council leader Birch acknowledged that an enforcement agent visited the council last month but left without taking enforcement action after discussions with legal officers. He noted that over the last seven years, 318 appeals against planning refusals or enforcement notices were made, with 93 successful and 13 cases awarding costs to appellants. Some claims have been delayed for over two years, and seven remain outstanding because the council disputes the claimed amounts with ongoing negotiations.
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Birch emphasized the council’s responsibility to scrutinize all claims to ensure public funds are appropriately used, especially where evidence is lacking or costs seem disproportionate. However, Councillor O’Neill countered this account, presenting evidence of multiple bailiff visits and at least one payment having been made by the council. He called for an urgent investigation into the planning department’s handling of these costs over the last seven years, citing correspondence and detailed claims that contradict the council leader’s statements.
Monitoring officer Helen Clarke defended the accuracy of the council’s official response, affirming it was based on solid knowledge and records. Meanwhile, Chief Executive Nigel Brinn considered the call for an investigation reasonable, suggesting the audit committee could undertake the review.
This incident has highlighted the importance of councils maintaining financial accountability and paying debts promptly, reinforcing that enforcement actions against councils over unpaid obligations should be as unambiguous as those they pursue against residents.