Enforcement and Collection Agency Services

Cumberland Council is seeking to appoint two Enforcement Agencies to provide recovery services for Council Tax and Business Rates and collection services for Housing Benefit Overpayments and accounts receivable (sundry) debts on behalf of the Public Health, Customer and Community Wellbeing Directorate. Work under the contracts is to be distributed based on fifty percent allocation of the available caseload. The successful suppliers will support the Council's strategic priorities by ensuring fair, transparent, and proportionate enforcement that promotes community wellbeing and safeguards vulnerable residents. The below threshold concession contracts (contract) are anticipated to commence on 1 July 2026 and will continue for an initial period of two years, unless terminated in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract. There is an option for the Council to extend the duration of the contract for up to two additional periods of 12 months each, subject to successfully achieving the required outcomes. Upon publication of this Contract Award Notice (UK6), Cumberland Council will commence a voluntary standstill period of eight working days. As this is a below threshold procurement there is no legal requirement to include standstill however as per the provision in the Invitation to Tender one is being included to align with the broader principles of public procurement law, such as transparency, equal treatment, and non-discrimination. The voluntary standstill period will conclude on the 16th June 2026.