Call for largest Welsh local authority to become a “Bailiff-Free City”

Adam Johannes

A row has erupted in Cardiff over the council’s use of private bailiff companies to collect council tax debt, with senior Labour figures challenged over the authority’s enforcement policies.

ACORN Cardiff, part of a community union operating across Wales and England, has been attending constituency surgeries and confronting cabinet members directly, demanding an end to what it says is a “cruel and counterproductive” policy pushing vulnerable residents deeper into crisis.

Council figures show over 8,000 bailiff visits were made to Cardiff households in 2024/5 over unpaid council tax. In late 2025, union members attended surgeries held by senior councillors Sarah Merry, Peter Bradbury, and council leader Huw Thomas, urging them to support reform.

ACORN argues that aggressive enforcement does not magically produce money people simply do not have. Instead, it often traps households in deeper debt, worsening financial hardship and mental health pressures.

For families already struggling with soaring rents, food prices, and stagnant wages, the knock at the door from bailiffs can be devastating.

The union’s open letter to the Welsh Government cites research from Stepchange and Debt Justice, warning that current practices disproportionately affect women and households living below the poverty line.

They report that Councillor Sarah Merry agreed with their demands “in principle” but declined to sign the letter calling for reform.

Councillor Peter Bradbury initially refused to meet the group, saying he was there to deal with “real problems,” but later met ACORN representatives and has since contacted the Welsh Government about potential changes to council tax enforcement.

ACORN member Jon Biggin described the discussion as “constructive” but said it was “disappointing” that Bradbury would not publicly endorse the campaign. He added that further talks are planned.

Council leader Huw Thomas has committed to contacting council leaders in cities that have already ended bailiff use and to meet ACORN Cardiff again.

Some Cardiff councillors have already signed ACORN’s open letter, including Claudia Boes (Labour), Rhys Taylor (LibDem), and Matt Youde (Green), alongside Senedd members Heledd Fychan (Plaid) and Rhys ab Owen (Independent).

Consultation

Last autumn, the Welsh Government announced plans to introduce a fairer 63-day buffer between a missed council tax payment and court action, a huge increase from the current harsh seven-day deadline.

The move followed a consultation on council tax collection, which prompted ACORN to spring into action. Members took to the streets, knocking on doors, running stalls, and launching an online campaign to rally support.

Founded in 2014 in Bristol, ACORN represents low-income communities fighting for better housing, secure work, and stronger public services. Cardiff, its first Welsh branch, now has over 200 members and has won local victories, from halting illegal evictions to forcing landlords to carry out long-overdue repairs.

For the union, tweaks are not enough. The broader question is political. After years of austerity, who pays the price? Council tax is regressive, hitting those with the least hardest. When authorities respond to debt with bailiffs, they risk deepening the very crises they claim to manage.

Campaigners argue that balancing budgets on the backs of the poor is neither economically effective nor morally defensible.

A council spokesperson insisted bailiffs are only used as a last resort.

“Cardiff Council is continuing to research the methods of debt recovery used by other local authorities to fully understand how they are meeting their statutory duties.”

“Council Tax funds around a quarter of essential services, including social services, education, and housing. It is vital that we collect it to support services everyone in Cardiff relies on.”

“Anyone struggling to pay should contact the Council to avoid enforcement. Our Money Advice Team can help with financial reviews, debt advice, discounts, budgeting, and money management.”

But for campaigners the debate is about power and priorities. Should working class residents be chased by bailiffs – or protected from them?

ACORN calls for a Bailiff-Free Britain, alongside wider reforms, including rent controls, tighter regulation of the private rental sector and a major expansion of social housing.