Council Tax Advisors CIC launches CouncilDirect® in Scotland
Council Tax Advisors CIC, the
free debt advice specialist for people facing council tax arrears and
enforcement action, has launched a new service for Scottish local authorities.
CouncilDirect® will
support leaders of local authorities across Scotland juggling debt and
shortfalls in council tax collections.
Since devolution, Scottish councils have paid £3.6 billion in interest alone on £2.5 billion of previous debt.* Annual interest payments are estimated at between £175 million and £200 million every year.
Available to all Scottish local authorities, CouncilDirect can improve council tax collections by providing free advice and mediation services to Scottish citizens struggling with household debt.
Chris Richards, founder and managing director of Council Tax Advisors CIC, said: “Councils across Scotland face the twin pressures of high debt repayments and shortfalls in council tax collections. With CouncilDirect, we’re here to help. By getting involved early in an arrears case on a direct referral basis, we can tackle the debt before the sheriff officer is engaged. This will reduce costs and fast track the collection for the authority and reduce stress for many Scottish citizens anxious about their debt.”
Council Tax Advisors CIC takes full account of each individual’s potential vulnerability as well as financial position. It mediates between the client, local authority and sheriff officer and, unlike other debt support services, sees every case through to its conclusion.
Council Tax Advisors CIC is a not for profit organisation supporting the collection of council tax arrears, particularly from citizens facing sheriff officer action. Central to its mission is the wellbeing of Scots who find themselves in financial difficulty – especially where these are due to unexpected life changes.
The company is a member of Scotland’s Financial Health Service, a charity member of the Debt Resolution Forum and a member of Advice UK. Its holds full Financial Conduct Authority permissions for non-commercial debt counselling.
Council Tax Advisors CIC is regularly praised by satisfied clients, who acknowledge the down to earth, practical help the company provides.
Council Tax Advisors CIC also supports clients contemplating Protected Trust Deeds, Debt Arrangement Schemes and Sequestration.
As a community interest company (CIC), Council Tax Advisors CIC believes no individual should face financial difficulty alone.
Community interest companies are recognised by the government under the Companies (Audit, Investigations and Community Enterprise) Act 2004. They use their profits and assets for the public good and are regulated by the Office of the Regulator of CICs and the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.
For more information, visit www.counciltaxadvisors.co.uk/scotland, like on Facebook and follow on Twitter.
For media enquiries, please contact Emma De Maio, redheadPR, 07921 160 134, emma@redheadpr.co.uk.
Ends