Working with you on council debts: introducing our new Debt Assist service

Arun District Council is introducing Debt Assist, a managed supportive service that helps residents and businesses deal with their council debts in a constructive way. Debt Assist is delivered in partnership with Liberata and starts in October 2025.

To ensure residents are aware of this new partnership, you may receive letters, emails, or calls from our trusted partner Liberata UK Limited about this service.

Why we are using Debt Assist

Income from council tax and other charges funds vital local services. If you have a council debt, we are committed to working with you to find a way forward that fits your circumstances. Debt Assist is a supportive first step. Liberata will look at your budget with you, agree an affordable payment plan and can connect you with free, independent advice from organisations like the Money Adviser Network if you need it.

Debts covered by Debt Assist

At the start the service will cover:

  • business rates
  • council tax
  • former tenant arrears
  • housing benefit overpayments
  • sundry debts

How it works

  • if you have an outstanding council debt, Liberata will contact you on our behalf to discuss your situation and will invite you to share income and spending details.
  • an affordable repayment plan can be agreed that takes account of your circumstances.
  • tools such as a benefits checker and referrals to free independent advice can help you find extra support.
  • plans can be reviewed if your circumstances change.

Debt Assist is not an enforcement service. It will not instruct enforcement agents, send bailiffs or add enforcement fees. 

The benefits checker can help you find out if you are entitled to extra financial support. If you qualify, this can make it easier to pay what you owe and keep up with future bills.

Data protection

Personal information will only be used for managing council debts and offering support, in line with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. If a referral to independent advice services is suggested, we (including Liberata) will always ask for your explicit consent first. We may therefore share your data with and receive data from trusted third-party services. This includes:

  • debt advice: we work with The Money and Pensions Service (a public body sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions), which provides free, impartial financial guidance and debt advice to help improve financial wellbeing. Referrals under their Money Adviser Network may be shared and processed by Citizens Advice, Money Advice Trust, Greater Merseyside Money Advice Partnership, East Midlands Money Advice Partnership, Money Wellness, Debt Free Advice, and Debt Advice Foundation.
  • data enrichment and tracing: using partners like Ascendant Solutions Ltd and TransUnion International Ltd to find up-to-date contact details
  • payment processing: using AccessPay Limited and Worldpay for direct debits and card payments.
  • call recording: using IP Integration Limited to record calls for training and quality purposes

For full details on how your data is used, please read our data protection policy: (Data Protection Policy | Arun District Council) and privacy policy: (Privacy policy | Arun District Council).