County Durham Outreach & Support provide enforcement agent and debt collection services to Durham County Council.
Our welfare-based approach focuses on helping customers through their financial difficulties, ensuring that debts are managed holistically and repayments are affordable and sustainable.
We’ll also signpost customers to a range of supportive measures; partner agencies and charities who can help you maximise your income and/or provide free and impartial advice.
Our enforcement agent service specialises in collecting the following main types of debt:
- Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rates (Business Rates)
- Parking and Road Traffic (PCN)
- Commercial Rent Arrears (CRAR)
- Business Improvement District Scheme levy (BIDs)
Our debt collection area of the service specialises in collecting:
- Invoices for overpaid housing benefit
- Invoices for all other goods and services provided by the council, otherwise known as sundry debt
Our aims are:
- We want to listen
- We want to help
- We want to be accessible to everyone
County 
Durham Outreach and Support is a member of the Civil Enforcement Association (CIVEA), which is the principal trade association representing certificated civil enforcement agents operating in England and Wales.
Our enforcement agents are bound by the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007, Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013 and government-supported National Standards. Our agents and staff are also required to conduct themselves in accordance with terms and conditions set by Durham County Council.
In addition, CIVEA members are required to comply with a Code of Practice, which is independently monitored and enforced. This Code of Practice exceeds the statutory requirements and the National Standards and includes an independent audit of company policies, monitoring calls and observing agents in the field.