'Upset and rage' as Sheffield Council sends debt collection letters to paid up allotment holders

Sheffield Council apologised after it incorrectly sent debt collector letters to allotment holders admitting it would have come as an “absolute shock”.
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Coun Angela Argenzio, in a full council meeting, said plot holders were sent letters less than a month after they were invoiced for fees and many had already paid.

She said: “I’ve been contacted by people who received these letters who had different levels of upset and rage. Some have said it would go a long way if the council could just apologise rather than send a letter that doesn’t really answer their queries and reassure people that things are not going to happen in this way again.”

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Coun Terry Fox, cabinet member for finance, said: “I have personally apologised and I will do it again. I wouldn’t like one of those letters landing on my doorstep. I can only say so many times and that’s not being flippant at all - I am personally sorry for the way that rolled out.

Councillor Angela Argenzio.Councillor Angela Argenzio.
Councillor Angela Argenzio.

“It was a capacity issue, I can mitigate as much as you want but I cannot get away from the fact that some people who got those letters with the debt agency letterhead must have felt absolute shock and I am personally sorry.

"I have learned a very important lesson and it will not happen again, he says with fingers and toes crossed.”

The council said it received several complaints in relation to the incident.

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It has since instigated a review into invoicing, printing and reminder processes in light of what happened, with a view to identifying any improvements that can be made to systems and procedures.

Deputy Council Leader Terry FoxDeputy Council Leader Terry Fox
Deputy Council Leader Terry Fox

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