ACORN has forced the council to stop using bailiffs to chase struggling people for council tax debt, and invest over £2million in the crisis fund!
In late October, ACORN Brighton revealed that following a year-long campaign against the council’s use of bailiffs to collect council tax, we've won the campaign!
Cllr Tristram Burden confirmed Brighton and Hove City Council will stop referring cases of council tax debt involving people on benefits to bailiffs, and will instead engage residents in a supportive process involving affordable repayment plans.
ACORN has also forced the council to invest an extra £2.2 Million in the council's discretionary crisis fund, which will go towards supporting the most vulnerable in our city!
Keziah, the chair of ACORN Brighton, said "We're delighted that the council have made this long-overdue change. This will have a massive impact on the lives of struggling people across the city, and shows the power of ACORN's strength in numbers!"
This follows a similar victory announced earlier this year in which Manchester City Council committed to stopping the use of bailiffs to pursue council tax debt for 48,000 low income households. ACORN is also running ongoing campaigns on the issue in Haringey and Birmingham.