Issue - meetings

Report FSD18091

The Committee considered a report providing information regarding Liberata’s performance in the provision of Exchequer Services for the period 1^st April 2018 to 30^th September 2018.  A letter from Amanda Inwood-Field, Liberata’s London Regional Contract Director, provided an update on each individual service along with statistical data relating to the services was included within the report.

In response to a question concerning the reasons for the high level of utility debt relating to Virgin Media, the Committee noted that the debt could be due to new invoices linked to the report production process.  Members also noted that some utility companies could take longer to process payments.  The Head of Exchequer Services confirmed that currently no late payments charges were levied by the Local Authority unless they were contractual.  This was something that was being reviewed in relation to commercial debt although this had been put on hold whilst the new debt management system was being implemented.  The Head of Exchequer Services confirmed that implementation of the new debt management system should be completed by the end of the financial year and once completed further consideration could be given to introducing late payment charges for commercial debt.  The Chairman requested that the Head of Exchequer Services write to Members of the Committee to provide a date for when the debt management system would be implemented and consideration given to late payment charges for commercial debt.

Action Point 20: The Head of Exchequer Services to write to Members of the Committee to provide a date for when the debt management system will be implemented and consideration given to late payment charges for commercial debt. 

In relation to telecoms debt, the Committee noted that this type of debt was a relatively small proportion of the overall debt.  Where possible appropriate action was taken to secure the debt.  Members also noted that the intervention in relation to the BT Openreach debt was relatively new and it would take a few months to measure the impact of the intervention.  The Head of Exchequer Services confirmed that the report due to be considered by the Committee in July 2019 should reflect a decrease in the level of debt.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.