An investigation into the potential conflict of interest of having a bailiff company owned by the same business outsourced to collect council tax featured as the three-page splash in the Big Issue In The North on March 26.
The freelance investigation, carried out by Catherine Smyth, follows a series of cases where Rossendale residents have successfully disputed bailiff bills levied by Equita, thanks to help and advice from the local CAB and its proactive manager Kester Dean. Trading standards has now been asked to investigate 20 cases where bailiff costs have been removed when disputed.
Several freedom of information requests were made to three authorities in the North West where Capita is in charge of collecting revenues and benefits: Sheffield, Rossendale and Blackburn with Darwen.
The story also featured on Radio 5 Live Investigates on Sunday March 25 with Adrian Goldberg. Click here to download
To read the story click the link