Issue - meetings

The Strategic Director of Finance and Investment introduced the performance report for the first quarter of the 2016/17 financial year in respect of the debt management function carried out by the Revenues and Benefits Service within Elevate East London.

The Strategic Director advised that the performance of Elevate was predominantly positive and he made particular mention of the above target returns in the areas of Council Tax and Council Tax arrears as well as the collection of older debts.  Underperformance was, however, being experienced in respect of rent collection equivalent to approximately £380,000 (-0.36% against target).  The Strategic Director commented on the steps being taken by Elevate to rectify that position and also the additional resources that had been directed towards Council Tax arrears which had resulted in the level of collection being £244,000 above target. 

The Leader made reference to the cost effectiveness of debt collection and the need to be mindful of the vulnerability of many residents who found it difficult to pay all of their bills.  The Strategic Director referred to the Council’s debt collection arrangements, which included assessing an individual’s ability to pay and active engagement to try to reach a solution, although he stressed that the Council had a duty to collect as much as possible in order to sustain the services that it was responsible for providing.  It was agreed that further discussions should take place on the issue.

The Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Note 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 first quarter of 2016/17.