Agenda item

Revenues and Benefits - Shared Services

Minutes:

The Head of Strategic Finance and Property and the Head of Revenues and Benefits Shared Service submitted a report in relation to the Revenues and Benefits Shared Service arrangements.  The Head of Strategic Finance and Property explained that the supporting Essential Reference Paper “B” showed that the service was very well run and provided bench-marked information which helped illustrate that it was a robust service and that both Councils paid their share of the service.

 

Clarification was sought by Councillor M McMullen and provided regarding the debt position in relation to Council Tax and the processes the Council undertook to recover debt including applications to the Magistrates Court, seizure of property, attachment to earnings, accessing HMRC data and making arrangements with individuals (covering a number of years), to secure the return of debt.

 

Clarification was sought by Councillor M Stevenson and provided regarding the £5M increase in the collectable debit and how this was generated from increases in each of the precepts.

 

Councillor N Symonds sought and was provided with assurances that help would always be available for those unable to use the online housing benefit claim form and that nationally, the CAB would be providing support for those applying for Universal Credit from April 2019.  The Head of Revenues and Benefits Shared Service acknowledged the additional help which was needed to support the vulnerable and homeless. 

 

Councillor H Drake was provided with clarification on the issue of declining housing benefit claims and escalating overpayments and how a change in an individual’s circumstances could impact (within a short time frame) and result in the generation of an overpayment. 

 

The Vice Chairman, commented on the timeframes achieved for processing housing benefit claims and was assured that these reflected harmonisation of performance across the two Councils. 

 

Councillor M Casey commented on the delivery of the service in relation to revenue savings in a full operating year.  The Head of Strategic Finance and Property explained that approximately £50-£70K had been achieved in the first year, adding that further information would be available on 5 December 2018 which could be circulated to Members.

 

Councillor M McMullen sought and was provided with clarification regarding the debt status as at 31 March 2018 of Live / Dormant /Fraud HB overpayments.

 

Councillor M Stevenson referred to the issue of recruitment within the service.  The Head of Revenues and Benefits Shared Service explained that staff numbers had been increased for two years (2015 and 2016) reflecting the additional work generated by the Government’s welfare reforms.  The staff numbers had reduced from 1 April 2017.  The Council Tax service however, had continued  to experience increases in workload from the  number of properties being built. Councillor N Symonds asked the Head to pass on her thanks for the hard work and excellent advice that her team continued to provide. 

 

The Vice Chairman thanked Officers for their overview of the Shared Service arrangement.

 

It was moved by Councillor M McMullen and seconded by Councillor D Andrews that the recommendations, as detailed, be approved.  After being put the meeting and a vote taken, the recommendations were declared CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED – that (A) the value for money assessment of the Shared Revenue and Benefits Service be noted; and

 

(B)   the Annual report as detailed within Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ be noted and any comments be forwarded to the Head of Strategic Finance and Property and the Head of Revenues and Benefits Shared Services.

 

Supporting documents: