Staffordshire council to write off more than £650,000 in 'irrecoverable debt'

The figures from the period 1st April 2025 to 31st December 2025 show that the largest category of debt written off was business rates, which total £433,940.84. 

Currently, only cabinet members can authorise debt write-offs above £10,000. Executive or assistant directors can approve write-offs of up to £5,000.

Five areas have had debt written off including; council tax, £39,330.97; business rates, £433,940.84; sundry income, £39,608.89; housing benefit overpayments, £23,995.31 and housing, £114,476.89

A further £457,569.04 in business rates remains outstanding and unrecovered. 

The council is unable to pursue money owed by individuals who have been declared bankrupt, companies which have been dissolved, money that has become statute-barred, and debts owed by deceased individuals who left no estate.

The report put together by the head of revenues and benefits at the council explained that the council views cases as exceptions and that all reasonable steps have been taken to recover the money.

The report said: “The council is committed to ensuring that debt write offs are kept to a minimum by taking all reasonable steps to collect monies due. 

"There will be situations where the debt recovery process fails to recover some or all of the debt and will need to be considered for write off in accordance with the schemes of delegation prescribed in the corporate credit policy.

“The Council views such cases very much as exceptions. Before writing off debt, the council will satisfy itself that all reasonable steps have been taken to collect it and that no further recovery action is possible or practicable. It will take into account the age, size and types of debt together with any factors that it feels are relevant to the individual case.