Bradford Council signed a £1,000,000 contract for council-tax debt-recovery support with Wilkin Chapman LLP in 2022. The official award shows a 3-year term (with options to extend), five tenders received, and scoring weighted Quality 80 / Price 10—so cost counted for just one-tenth of the decision.
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Quality 80 / Price 10 = price was 10% of the decision; a higher-priced bid could still win if it scored better on “quality”.
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Bradford’s own budget papers say finances are in “unprecedentedly poor health.” The Council applied for £80m Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) in 2023/24 and £140m in 2024/25 (later reduced to ~£120m used), and its MTFS estimates ~£570m of EFS may be needed across 2023/24–2029/30 to stabilise.
Bradford Council
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In April 2025, Wilkin Chapman merged with Rollits to form Wilkin Chapman Rollits, announcing 500+ people and ~£40m turnover—and calling itself the largest law firm operating out of Lincolnshire and Yorkshire.
Wilkin Chapman Rollits
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Wilkin Chapman Rollits
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When council tax is pushed to court, extra costs are added to already overdue bills. Guidance and case law say costs must be “reasonably incurred”—they’re not meant to be a revenue stream—but for struggling households even typical £80–£130 liability-order costs can tip finances over the edge.
Shelter England
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Debt-recovery teams are often staffed by paralegals and legal executives alongside solicitors. That’s common—but it makes transparency over supervision, escalation thresholds and fee schedules even more important when public money and residents’ livelihoods are involved. (See firm merger/structure announcements.)
Wilkin Chapman Rollits
If price was only 10% of the award scoring, is outsourcing truly delivering lower costs and less stress than a strengthened in-house approach focused on early engagement, affordability checks and clear communications—especially while the Council itself relies on extraordinary financial support? Residents deserve to see the evidence.
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Supplier: Wilkin Chapman LLP (now Wilkin Chapman Rollits).
Contract: Council Tax Debt Recovery Support Service — value £1,000,000; concluded 16 Jun 2022; Quality 80 / Price 10; 5 tenders.
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Council finances: Bradford finances described as “unprecedentedly poor health”; EFS £80m (23/24) + £140m (24/25, ~£120m used); ~£570m estimated EFS need through 2029/30.
Bradford Council
Firm growth: Merger (Apr 2025) → 500+ staff, ~£40m turnover; claims largest in Lincolnshire & Yorkshire.
Wilkin Chapman Rollits
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Costs context: Liability-order costs must be reasonably incurred; many councils charge ~£80–£130.
Shelter England
