Key Takeaways:
- Members of the community-based union ACORN disrupted a Liverpool city council meeting to demand a "bailiff free Britain"
- The union is campaigning to end the use of bailiffs for the collection of council tax debt, which they claim is a "broken" system
- Protesters were removed from the Town Hall by CitySafe officers, but the demonstration was peaceful
- ACORN claims that the current system is unfair and ineffective, with poorer homes paying disproportionately more than rich ones
- The union is seeking a fairer system and dignity for families and communities affected by council tax debt
Introduction to the Protest
The city council meeting in Liverpool was disrupted by members of the community-based union ACORN, who demanded a "bailiff free Britain". The protest, which took place on Wednesday evening, saw half a dozen activists attempt to take to the front of the Town Hall chamber to make their voices heard. The union has been campaigning nationally to end the use of bailiffs for the collection of council tax debt, which they claim is a "broken" system. The protesters, who were chanting "bailiff free Britain" and brandishing a flag with the ACORN logo, were eventually removed from the room by CitySafe officers.
The Reasons Behind the Protest
The protest was sparked by the union’s concerns over the use of bailiffs to collect council tax debt. According to ACORN, the current system is unfair and ineffective, with poorer homes paying disproportionately more than rich ones. The union claims that the way council tax debt is collected is not only failing to help, but is also hurting people and damaging communities. On its website, ACORN states that it is fighting back against the "broken" council tax system, and is campaigning for a fairer system and dignity for families and communities. The union’s Branch secretary, Martin Mawdsley, said that the council was supposed to be cutting down on the use of bailiffs, but nearly 70 households a day in Liverpool are being referred to bailiffs.
The Protest in Action
The protest began just after 6.20pm, as Anfield member Cllr Billy Marrat made his maiden speech. Members of the public, who had been sat at the back of the room, sprung from their seats and attempted to make their way to the front where city leaders were sat. The demonstrators were noisy, but peaceful, and CitySafe officials put themselves between the activists and councillors to prevent any potential conflict. One man was seen carrying a sign that read "Boot the Bailiffs", while others waved the flag bearing ACORN’s insignia. The protesters were eventually removed from the room by CitySafe officers, but not before one man was heard to shout "take your hands off me, get your hands off me now, I did not give you my consent to touch me".
The Union’s Demands
ACORN is seeking a fairer system for collecting council tax debt, and an end to the use of bailiffs. The union claims that the current system is damaging communities and hurting people, and is calling for dignity for families and communities affected by council tax debt. The union’s Branch secretary, Martin Mawdsley, said that after a positive meeting with the council in August, dialogue with the union had stopped, leaving members feeling they had no choice but to take action. Mawdsley stated that the council was supposed to be cutting down on the use of bailiffs, but nearly 70 households a day in Liverpool are being referred to bailiffs, and since their last meeting with the council, several of their members and their neighbours have been visited by bailiffs.
The Council’s Response
According to the city council’s website, it will seek to recover council tax debts via bailiffs when attempts to reach a payment plan cannot be agreed. This can include a failure to attend court via a summons. The council has not yet commented on the protest, but it is likely that they will respond to the union’s demands in the coming days. In the meantime, ACORN is likely to continue its campaign for a fairer system, and an end to the use of bailiffs. The union’s protest has highlighted the issue of council tax debt and the use of bailiffs, and has sparked a wider conversation about the need for a fairer system.
Conclusion
The protest by ACORN members at the Liverpool city council meeting has brought attention to the issue of council tax debt and the use of bailiffs. The union’s demands for a fairer system and an end to the use of bailiffs are likely to be met with resistance from the council, but the protest has highlighted the need for a more effective and fair system. As the union continues its campaign, it is likely that we will see more protests and demonstrations in the coming weeks and months. The issue of council tax debt and the use of bailiffs is a complex one, but it is clear that something needs to be done to address the problems caused by the current system.