Key Points
- Several protesters from the campaign group and community organisation Acorn disrupted a full meeting of Lambeth Council on Wednesday evening, January 21, 2026, demanding an end to the local authority’s use of bailiffs to collect council tax from residents behind on payments.
- The interruption occurred within the first hour of the meeting as protesters stood up in the public gallery, calling for “a fairer and more humane approach to council tax”.
- Claire Holland, Leader of Lambeth Council, had just finished presenting the Cabinet Statement when the disruption happened, leading to the council’s webcast being paused and the meeting suspended for nearly 30 minutes.
- Acorn’s Lambeth branch stated they had tried to contact Claire Holland twice in the past month and written to her, but received no reply.
- A Lambeth Council spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that the council is responding to Acorn’s pre-Christmas letter, outlining support for council tax payers.
- The council clarified that enforcement agents are a last resort to encourage repayment and dialogue, not to seize goods.
- Footage showed protesters listing demands, including more time for residents to clear arrears before debt action and an end to imprisonment for non-payment.
- Acorn member Paul Adams addressed the chamber, criticising Claire Holland for ignoring contact attempts and calling for government alternatives to council tax.
- Chants included “bailiff-free Britain” and “if you hate bailiffs stand up” as security escorted protesters out.
- Acorn claimed Claire Holland and several Cabinet Members walked out during their statement.
- Lambeth Council described the protest as unauthorised, encouraging use of established channels like pre-arranged delegations.
- Acorn reported 24,108 council tax cases referred to debt collectors last year, with £30 million in debt sent and £4.7 million collected.
- Resident James, present at the meeting, shared his experience of unannounced bailiff visits, threats of eviction, unresponsive council contact, threatening letters, and resulting mental health issues.
- The protest forms part of Acorn’s national Bailiff-Free Britain campaign, disrupting council meetings across England and Wales since last month.
- Council tax funds essential services, with Lambeth providing debt advice, support, and discretionary payments; external firms assist when direct contact fails.
Lambeth, London (South London News) January 21, 2026 – Protesters from Acorn disrupted a full Lambeth Council meeting on Wednesday evening, halting proceedings for nearly 30 minutes as they demanded an end to bailiff use for council tax collection. The interruption came shortly after Leader Claire Holland presented the Cabinet Statement, with demonstrators in the public gallery chanting for a “bailiff-free Britain” and a fairer debt approach. The council suspended its webcast and meeting amid the unauthorised protest, highlighting tensions over debt enforcement practices.
What Triggered the Disruption at Lambeth Council?
Members of Acorn, a campaign group and community organisation, stood up in the public gallery within the first hour of the full council meeting. They interrupted proceedings to demand
“a fairer and more humane approach to council tax”
from the local authority, which has relied on bailiffs for collecting overdue payments. The disruption forced the meeting’s suspension for almost 30 minutes, with the council’s webcast paused during the standoff.
As reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Claire Holland, Leader of Lambeth Council, had just finished presenting the Cabinet Statement when the protesters acted. Footage seen by the LDRS captured the group addressing the chamber directly, listing demands such as granting residents more time to address arrears before debt collection action and ending imprisonment for council tax non-payment.
Why Did Acorn Target Lambeth Council?
Acorn’s Lambeth branch explained they had attempted contact with Claire Holland twice over the past month without reply. The group stated its members had also written to her, receiving no response. Acorn member Paul Adams told the chamber:
“We also want councillors to support Acorn’s call for the Government to explore alternatives to council tax. As I’ve said, we’ve made several attempts to contact Claire Holland – she’s ignored us. So we’ve come to the meeting so our members and those people that are being hounded by bailiffs can be heard.”
The protesters demanded a meeting with the council leader and an immediate response. Chants of “bailiff-free Britain” and “if you hate bailiffs stand up” echoed as security tried to escort them out. Acorn later told the LDRS that during their statement, Claire Holland along with several Cabinet Members allegedly walked out of the council chamber while they were speaking.
How Did Lambeth Council Respond to the Protest?
A Lambeth Council spokesperson told the LDRS:
“The council is already writing to Acorn in response to their letter, received just before Christmas, setting out the work Lambeth does in supporting people to pay their council tax.”
The spokesperson added that the council’s use of Enforcement Agents is not to take control of goods but as
“a last resort to support people in debt to repay”,
serving as an alternative to engage residents receiving council tax support and start a dialogue.
In a further statement to the LDRS, the spokesperson said:
“The protest on Wednesday was an unauthorised demonstration which disrupted the Full Council meeting which the Chair then suspended. Any groups or individuals are welcome to raise issues of concern at council meetings through established channels and by prior arrangement – for example, through speaking at committees or pre-arranged delegations on the floor of the council chamber at Full Council meetings.”
A Lambeth Council spokesperson emphasised:
“Council tax is a vital source of revenue which helps fund a wide range of front-line services that our residents – particularly the most vulnerable – rely upon. Lambeth, like all local authorities, has a legal obligation to maximise collection of council tax to fund essential services. We have worked with vulnerable people to encourage them to pay and to provide debt advice, support and discretionary payments for those who can’t pay. Some of that contact work is carried out by an external company who contact people by phone or letter if the council has been unable to get in touch with them directly.”
What Scale of Debt Collection Involves Bailiffs in Lambeth?
According to Acorn, 24,108 cases were referred to debt collectors in Lambeth last year. A total of £30 million of debt was referred to them, while £4.7 million of this was actually collected. These figures underscore the volume of council tax arrears prompting enforcement action, fuelling Acorn’s campaign against bailiff involvement.
Who Are the Residents Affected by Bailiff Actions?
One Lambeth resident called James, who was present during Wednesday’s meeting, recounted his ordeal. He said bailiffs had turned up to his home without prior warning, later allegedly threatening to remove him from his property after he fell behind on council tax payments. James said he had tried to contact the council over the payments, but found them almost “impossible to contact” and allegedly uninterested in discussing a resolution.
He added that he received threatening letters which caused him mental health issues that he struggled to get support for. James’s account illustrates the personal impact cited by protesters, amplifying calls for more compassionate debt recovery.
Is This Protest Part of a Larger Campaign?
Wednesday’s protest is part of Acorn’s Bailiff-Free Britain campaign, which has seen several council meetings disrupted across England and Wales since last month. The national effort seeks broader reforms to council tax enforcement, positioning Lambeth as one battleground in a wider movement against bailiff practices.
What Are the Broader Implications for Local Governance?
The incident at Lambeth Council highlights ongoing friction between activist groups and local authorities over debt collection amid cost-of-living pressures. While Acorn pushes for policy shifts, including government alternatives to council tax, Lambeth stresses legal duties and support measures already in place. No further disruptions were reported immediately after the suspension, but the exchange underscores demands for dialogue through official channels.
This event, covered comprehensively by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), reflects neutral reporting of statements from all parties involved. Lambeth Council continues its operations, balancing revenue needs with resident welfare, as Acorn vows to press its case.
