Issue - meetings

Report FSD24004

The report provided information regarding the performance of the Benefits Service provided by Liberata for the period 1 April to 30 November 2023. A letter from Bola Odunsi Liberata’s Regional Contract Director (London and Southeast) was attached as Appendix 1 to the report. This communication provided Liberata’s perspective of performance, together with an update on initiatives to be introduced in the coming months. 

In response to a question the Revenues and Benefits Manager confirmed that the decision to reduce Council Tax Support had had a detrimental effect on the collection rates for those customers. People were struggling and there were more claims to the discretionary hardship fund.

In relation to the processing of change of circumstances, the Committee sought assurances that a plan was in place to ensure the target was met.  It was agreed that this element should be brought back to the Committee by the Revenues and Benefits Manager if there was no progress in meeting the target.  Representatives from Liberata confirmed that this was an ongoing issue however following recruitment, performance had improved in December and there was confidence that the target would be met by the end of the year.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.