Decision details

RESOLVED – that (A) the view be supported that a shared Revenues and Benefits service with Stevenage Borough Council is viable and will deliver benefits as described in the business case document titled ‘Revenues & Benefits Shared Service for East Herts & Stevenage’, at Essential Reference Paper ‘A’ of the report submitted and to implement the proposals set out in this document;

(B)   a Joint Revenues and Benefits Shared Service Committee with Stevenage Borough Council, as detailed at Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ of the report submitted, be approved;

(C)   the creation of a Joint Management Board for a shared Revenues and Benefits service be approved;

(D)   as the host authority for the shared service, the proposals to discharge, on behalf of Stevenage Borough Council the administration of Council Tax, National Non-domestic Rates and the administration of the Benefits scheme, including the investigation and prosecution of Benefit Fraud, in accordance with section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972, be approved, with the effective date for this arrangement to be agreed by the Chief Finance Officers at each Council;

(E)   a contingency of £25,000 for unforeseen set up costs, be approved, to be met by a supplementary estimate if required;

(F)   splitting set up costs and savings 50:50 for the first three years, be approved; and

(G)    the Director of Internal Services be authorised to approve a partnership agreement with Stevenage Borough Council, to implement these proposals, subject to final confirmation of the business case.