Blog – May 2019

Surveillance – It’s not just for TV shows! 

Surveillance can be a vital tool in obtaining real time information. In the real world of commercial investigations – rather than say how the Police may go about observing a subject – cost does play a major role. However, the number of operatives utilised and how these are deployed is key to obtaining results. Two operatives could say be split to one in a car and one walking, or one on a motorbike and one in a car – which can be particularly effective in a large congested city.

It should always be borne in mind with surveillance that a no result is still a result eg where an employee is off work due to illness, it may be found that he or she does actually have a problem walking or doesn’t leave the house. Similarly, the unexpected can happen. One of the newspapers favourites used to be where a person claiming say disability allowance is seen playing football or is the regular linesperson. Amazing recovery!

Surveillance is very useful across a number of sectors:

Insolvency – Following company directors who may be working when they are banned. Undertaking surveillance on a company the day prior to a Freezing Order being issued to check on any assets being removed.

Blog – May 2019

Better council tax collection methods would lead to a higher level of services or cheaper bills ……………………….I don’t think so!

Why does this never happen?

Two articles caught my eye in recent weeks relating to Council Tax Recoveries.The first in the Guardian stated that “an analysis of government figures found the total amount of council tax arrears across England in the 2017-18 financial year was £944m, 37% higher than in 2012-13, when it was £691m.”

Imagine the additional services that could be delivered with that amount.

The average collection rate for a Council in England for 2017-18 is 97.1%. Consider the amounts involved across all the Councils.

The second was a Government press release,

“Every year, councils issue nearly 24 million Council Tax bills to help fund key local services, from adult social care and children’s services, to refuse collections and leisure facilities. Uncollected tax means less money for services and higher bills for residents who do pay on time.

The government wants to bring in a more effective Council Tax collection system which treats people more fairly, while ensuring the money required to fund public services is collected. It recognises consideration of personal circumstances can help a person’s financial recovery.”

Ultimately, it is about all Councils working together with reputable tracing agents and debt collection suppliers, charities and advice agencies in order to ensure that the customer is at the forefront of all of this. The can’t pay and won’t pays need to be sifted correctly. One solution does not fit all and that has to be recognised.

Sources: Guardian article 13/4/19 and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government press releaese 10/4/19.