Agenda item

The Director of Revenue and Benefits Transformation made a presentation to the Committee. A copy of his PowerPoint slides is attached as an appendix to these minutes.

This presentation was made in accordance with the resolution of the Council in November 2018:

“To agree in principle that, as the Council is currently reviewing its total Debt Management Policy, that officers should provide their conclusions to the Corporate Audit Committee in February to which the Resources Policy Development & Scrutiny Panel members should be invited, which in turn should consider the Council’s proposed approach to debt collection before any final decision is made.”

Members of the Resources PDS had been notified about today’s presentation.

Members noted that the draft policy would be presented to the Committee for approval in the near future.

The Director of Revenue and Benefits Transformation responded to comments and questions from Members.

·  Does the Council have any strategy or practice to identify vulnerable customers?

I do not think that anyone has a really adequate definition of vulnerability. The facts can be complex. However, it becomes fairly obvious if a customer has a carer, for example.

·  Does the Council have powers to refer customers to the Citizens Advice Bureau or another agency?

We could only do so with the customer’s consent. Usually the first conversation by a customer having difficulty in paying would be with a Council Tax Officer or Customer Services. All our staff are trained to be able to handle these conversations and have knowledge of help to which customers can be referred. If a customer contacts Council Connect, they are referred to a Council Tax Officer if their query is about Council Tax. The forthcoming restructure will provide additional Welfare Officer support. If a customer agrees a payment arrangement no further action would be taken for as long as they comply with that arrangement. It is proposed that after restructuring the cases of customers who fail to comply with agreed plans will be managed by the Welfare Support Team. If a customer goes on Universal Credit, we automatically defer their first instalment payment of Council Tax by one month.

·  Is it not the case that if the Council has no contract with the bailiffs/enforcement agents, then there is no basis in law for exchanging personal data with them?

The Council does have a signed agreement with the enforcement agents and a statutory basis to share information.

·  Does this agreement contain all the required provisions relating to the exchange of personal data?

Yes, it is something we have checked with reviewers, who have assured us that we are operating within the rules.

·  Are businesses treated in the same way as individual customers?

In essence, yes. Many small businesses qualify for business rate relief, and we would encourage them to check their entitlement. We have started to speed up enforcement where we think some kind of rates avoidance activity is being practised.

The Service Director – One West asked Members whether they would like a further session in the same format as today’s presentation and discussion after the remaining stages of consultation on the Debt Management Policy had been completed. Members agreed that they would.

The Chair thanked the Director of Revenue and Benefits Transformation for the presentation.