A West London council is set to hire more debt collectors to stop it missing out on millions of pounds each year. 

Harrow Council plans to re-recruit ‘enforcement agents’ – previously known as bailiffs – to collect unpaid council fees including council tax, business rates and parking fines. 

According to a report, which will be discussed by the council’s cabinet next week, these officers could save the council up to £5million each year. 

The council intends to outsource this service, with plans to use up to two companies across a three-year period. 

These contracts can be extended for a further four years, with the overall budget set at £10 million. 

The council explained that it relies on the money gathered by debt collectors, as taxes and parking fines make up “a substantial proportion of the total annual budget”. 

Its report stated: “With other income sources diminishing and increased dependency on collection of local income, appropriate resources need to be deployed to guarantee income stability and maintain the high in-year collection rates historically achieved.”

The council added it expects to recoup its costs for the debt collection service by using fees paid by those who owe money – this currently amounts to around £1 million each year. 

It comes as it approved its budget for 2022/23, which includes a council tax increase of 2.99 per cent – the maximum permitted without the need to call a local referendum. 

After the Greater London Authority’s council tax contribution is taken into account, it means Band D households will pay £2,044.78 next year.

This represents an increase of £82.42, which works out at £1.58 per week. It is also the first time those living in Band D properties in Harrow will pay more than £2,000 in council tax. 

This is on top of National Insurance increases set to come into effect in April and the huge jump in energy costs many have experienced. 

Harrow Council will review the debt collection plans at a cabinet meeting on Thursday (March 10).