The Local Government Debt Recovery Event 2021 | Government Events | 30 November 2021 | Online

During Covid-19 local authorities have been overwhelmed by rocketing levels of debt. Council tax arrears, social rent arrears and commercial debts have all been exacerbated by the impacts of lockdown. Meanwhile, there is a continuing drive to make debt collection more ethical amid criticism of heavy-handed debt collection tactics. To improve collections and protect vulnerable people, several councils across the country are pioneering new tools and strategies to avoid the damaging impacts of costly bailiffs. To establish new strategies, financial professionals in local authorities must understand the latest Government guidance and hear directly from best practice case studies. Significant improvements can be achieved as a result, leading to both better outcomes for vulnerable residents and local authority budgets.

• Nine million people in the UK are estimated to be over-indebted according to the Money and Pensions Service.
• 42% of debt problems reported to Citizens Advice in 2018-19 related to debts owed to the government or other public bodies.
• Council tax debt stood at £4.4bn as of 31st March 2021.

Join us at The Local Government Debt Recovery Event 2021: Transforming Systems to Recover Debt Efficiently and Fairly to learn from leading best practice case studies and hear from high-level keynote speakers, enabling you to develop and improve strategies to collect debt ethically and efficiently. Topics will include the Government’s most recent regulations and advice, partnership working, and building connections with the debt advice sector. You will also have the opportunity to network with senior colleagues from across the sector, sharing challenges and strategies to target high-value debt, use a partnership working model, and harness behavioural insights.

Why Attend:
✓ Case studies showcasing best practice in using a multi-agency strategy to collect debt effectively.
✓ High-level keynotes from leading organisations on the latest guidance and advice for professionals in the sector.
✓ Networking opportunities with speakers and senior colleagues.
✓ A wide range of topics including early intervention, harnessing data and the latest updates from the Government.
✓ 8 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota.

This is a live event taking place online:
✓ Access a full live event with 8 hours of CPD points from home.
✓ Network and connect with colleagues in breakout networking sessions and the meeting hub.
✓ Interact with speakers through live Q&A and networking.
✓ Review event materials and presentations post-event.

Who Should Attend?
Delegates who will have an interest in this event will be professionals from across local authorities.
*This Conference is open to Public, Private and Third Sectors

2021 Speakers

Rose Doran
Senior Adviser, Local Government Association

Alex Skinner
Director, Local Government Finance, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Kevin Shaw
Senior Creditor Strategy Manager, Money and Pensions Service

Damon Gibbons
Executive Director, Centre for Responsible Credit

Deven Ghelani
Director, Policy in Practice

Sheila Roberts
Director of Enforcement and Safety, London Borough of Newham

Tim Pearse
Behavioural Science and Service Design Lead, Barking and Dagenham Council

Colm O’Callaghan
Deputy Chief Executive – Finance and Legal, St Albans City & District Council (invited)