Barnet Council has formally signed the Citizens Advice Council Tax Protocol, pledging a fairer and more supportive approach for residents who fall behind with their council tax. The north London borough signed the protocol on Thursday 29 October, after months of work with Citizens Advice Barnet and Chipping Barnet Foodbank. The council says the agreement will shape how it handles arrears, with earlier intervention and clearer communication before debts escalate.

What the protocol changes

Under the protocol, the council will consider individual circumstances, particularly where residents are disadvantaged, when supporting households with arrears. It will work with residents before debts grow, rather than moving quickly to enforcement. The signing took place at Chipping Barnet Foodbank, a choice the council said reflected the role of voluntary organisations in supporting people in financial difficulty.

Why councils sign up

The protocol is a good-practice guide that promotes close working between councils, enforcement agencies and debt advice services. Other councils, including High Peak and Stockport, have signed it in the past, committing to fairness, partnership working and transparency in debt collection. For Barnet, the move comes as the borough faces severe financial pressure, with a large budget shortfall and a proposed council tax rise still under discussion.

Cabinet member for financial sustainability Simon Radford said signing the protocol was an important milestone in making sure residents who struggle financially are treated fairly and can get support as early as possible. He added that council tax revenue funds services the council is legally required to provide, including adult social care, children's services, bin collections and road maintenance.

Sources: Barnet Council, High Peak Borough Council (protocol explainer).