Issue - meetings

Report FSD19080

The Committee considered a report providing information regarding the performance of the Revenues Service provided by Liberata for the 6 months up to 31^st March 2019.  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 response to a question why business rate collection was comparably low why compared to other Local Authorities, the Head of Revenues and Benefits reported that it had been hoped that performance would improve.  Officers had interrogated the reasons for low rates of collection and it was notable that collections was notably lower in the retail sector and this could be a reflection of the challenges facing the retail sector.

The Committee noted that 67% of Council Tax was paid by Direct Debit and 35% of Business Rates were paid by Direct Debit.

Members noted that debts were recycled through difference debt recovery agencies in order to maximise recovery.  Debtors were not charged multiple bailiff fees and fees were only charged when debts were recovered.  The Committee were reminded that debt was not readily written off and that every effort was made to follow up historic debt.

The Director of Finance explained the more technical aspects of reflecting older debt in the Statutory Accounts.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.