Recommendation 10

We recommend that the Government replace the council tax collection best practice guidance with a statutory code of practice, to which local authorities would have to have regard. Among other things, this code of practice should set out what steps local authorities should take before applying for a liability order, including the making of affordable repayment plans in which the unpaid balance is spread over the year. If the Government does not do this, it should say why not when it responds to our Report, and explain what measures it will implement to ensure best practice is followed.