GROWING numbers of people in the Taunton and Wellington area are struggling to pay their council tax, the Citizens’ Advice Bureau claims.

Several of those unable to cope with all their debts have gone bankrupt, while others have had items confiscated by bailiffs or been summoned to court.

According to The Children’s Society figures, 1,552 families, with 2,687 children, experienced council tax debt last year.

CAB money advice co-ordinator Jenny Ward said the problem of people being unable to pay has got even worse this year.

She said: “There’s a lot of unpaid council tax among our clients.

“The problem seems to have got worse since the Government introduced the policy that if you’re on benefit, you’re now required to make a contribution towards the council tax.

“People who previously had all their council tax paid by benefits are now falling behind.”

She said other issues causing debt problems included the introduction of the so-called Bedroom Tax and people working part-time or for low wages.

She added: “People defaulting on council tax are also struggling to pay other bills.

“But how can someone pay who’s been sanctioned by the Department for Work and Pensions who has no money coming in?”

Taunton Deane Council has a discretionary fund where people in trouble with their bills can apply for assistance.

A Deane House spokeswoman said: “The council will support those who can pay, but take action against those who won’t pay.”

Meanwhile, a Children’s Society report indicates that South-West councils sent in the bailiffs 89,871 times to chase unpaid council tax last year.

While there were issues with bailiffs – or enforcement agents in council speak – pestering children on their parents’ behalf, the County Gazette has found no evidence of any such problems in Taunton Deane.

The council, which is currently re-tendering for enforcement agents, is stressing that they must conform to a code of conduct, particularly when dealing with vulnerable people such as the elderly, people with a disability, the seriously ill, recently bereaved, single parent families, pregnant women, the unemployed or anyone who struggles to understand English.

The agents are told they “have a role in ensuring that the vulnerable and socially excluded are protected and that the recovery process include procedures agreed between the agent/agency and creditor about how such situations should be dealt with”, while “the appropriate use of discretion is essential in every case”.

They are also told to withdraw from a home is the only person present is under 18.