Closed: Consultation on Fair Debt Policy for Lewes District and Eastbourne Borough Council
From Monday 28 October to Monday 15 December 2025, we invited feedback from residents, partner organisations and other stakeholders on our draft Fair Debt Policy. A summary of responses will be made available on this page.
The policy sets out our approach to the billing, collection and recovery of all monies due to the councils.
The policy also sets out where responsibility for the collection of different debts lies and the principles and standards the councils will use to in relation to:
- Contacting customers
- Recovery and enforcement
- Repayments
- Welfare benefit
- Money and debt advice
The policy sets out the framework for a consistent and sensitive approach to collecting debt, while making sure both councils continue to maximise income collection and arrears recovery performance.
The policy covers the following debts owed to the councils:
- Council Tax
- Rents
- Housing Benefit Overpayments
- Non-Domestic Rates (Business Rates)
- Sundry Debts
Download the draft Fair Debt Policy (PDF, 280 KB)
This consultation closed on Monday 15 December 2025.
