Issue - meetings

Report FSD18052

The Committee considered a report providing information regarding the performance of the Revenues Service provided by Liberata for the 6 months up to 30^th September 2018.  A letter from Amanda Inwood-Field, Liberata’s London Regional Contract Director, providing an update on each individual service along with statistical data relating to the Revenues Service was included within the report.

In opening the discussion the Chairman suggested that the Committee should make a recommendation to the effect that further consultation take place concerning increasing the empty homes premium as soon as possible.

The Chairman requested that the Committee’s thanks be extended to all those involved in processing business rate relief last year.  Feedback from businesses received by the Chairman had indicated that the efforts had been appreciated by businesses.

The Chairman noted that it was a very good report and that good progress was being made.  The Committee noted that there had been some slippage in relation to collection of business rates however, other local authorities had been experiencing similar issues.

In response to a question surrounding long outstanding Council Tax arrears, the Head of Revenues and Benefits confirmed that in many cases repayment arrangements were in place and the outstanding sum reducing, albeit slowly.

The Committee discussed the possibility of using the electoral register to cross-reference empty properties.  The Director of Corporate Services reported that there were restrictions on the use of the electoral register which meant that there were constraints around what the Council could do in terms of data.  The Committee requested that the Director of Corporate Services provide a briefing note for the Committee regarding the rules around and constrains on the use of the electoral register in relation to cross referencing empty properties.

Action Point 19: The Director of Corporate Services to provide a briefing note for the Committee regarding the rules around and constrains on the use of the electoral register in relation to cross referencing empty properties.

In response to a question the Head of Revenues and Benefits outlined the internal complaints procedure and confirmed that any resident not satisfied with the way in which the Council had handled their complaint could refer the matter to the Ombudsman.

The Committee agreed that the Executive and Officers should be asked to explore options around applying the Empty Homes Premium as soon as possible.

RESOLVED: That:

1. The report and the letter from Liberata be noted; and

2. The Executive and Officers be recommended to explore all options to consider applying the Empty Homes Premium as soon as possible.