Issue - meetings

The Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance and Core Services introduced the performance report for the second quarter of the 2018/19 financial year in respect of the debt management functions carried out on behalf of the Council by the Revenues and Benefits service within Elevate East London.

The Cabinet Member commented that the challenges that many local residents faced as a consequence of the Government’s ongoing austerity programme had impacted on some collection rates and the situation was only expected to worsen once the Government rolled out Universal Credit.  On a positive note however, the pro-active approach being taken by the Council’s Community Solutions service and Elevate to assisting local residents who faced debt problems was proving very successful and specific mention was made of the ‘Money Hub’ initiative.  The Leader also referred to the Council’s new Beam Energy project that was due to be launched very soon which could help local residents save considerable sums on their energy bills.

The Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Note the contents of this report as it relates to the performance of the debt management function carried out by the Revenues and Benefits service operated by Elevate East London, including the performance of enforcement agents; and

(ii)  Note the debt write-offs for the second quarter of 2018/19.