Issue - meetings

Report FSD23036

The report provided information regarding the performance of the Revenues Services provided by Liberata for the period 1 December 2022 to 31 March 2023. A letter from Bola Odunsi, Liberata’s Regional Director (London and the Southeast), provided an update on each of the individual services and is attached at Appendix 1 with statistical data relating to the Revenues Service attached at Appendix 2.

The Chairman welcomed representatives from Liberata to the meeting, in particular welcoming Mr Bola Odunsi, Liberata’s Regional Director (London and the Southeast).

In response to a question, the Benefits Manager confirmed that there had been no significant fall in the number of empty homes being charged the empty homes premium.

In response to a further question, the Benefits Manager confirmed that it was still too early to say whether there would be a beneficial impact on collection of business rates.  The Committee noted that collection rates had improved as courts had resumed hearings and it was now possible for the Council to recover unpaid rates.  It was noted that historically the Council had not had to take recovery action however, due to the current climate the Local Authority was experiencing issues that it had not experienced before.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.