Issue - meetings

Purpose of Report

As set out in the Shared Revenues and Benefits Business Case Delegation and Joint Committee Agreement, an annual Business Plan was presented to this committee in November/December each year for consideration.

Decision

That the Revenues and Benefits Shared Service Business Plan 2023/24 be approved.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None.

Reason for Decision

The Revenues and Benefits Shared Service Business Plan for the financial year 2022/23 was attached at Appendix 1 to the report and featured the following:

·       Key Achievements in 2022/23;

·       Savings in 2022/23;

·       Key Activities for 2023/24;

·       Strategic Priority Schemes 2023/24;

·       Towards Financial Sustainability projects 2023/24;

·       Other Service Planning Considerations 2023/24;

·       Key Risks;

·       Performance Management;

·       Safeguarding;

·       Equality Actions;

·       Working in Neighbourhoods;

·       Workforce Development;

·       Social Value;

·       Data Protection and Information Governance.

It was reported that the year 2022/23? had been another very positive year for the shared service, albeit very challenging with a whole host of Covid-19 recovery and cost of living support related-initiatives. The impacts of Covid-19 had been significant and could not be underestimated as were the ongoing impacts of the cost of living challenges. The financial impacts on taxpayers and businesses had been substantial, which had understandably impacted on revenues collection. The service had continued to promote the ‘Get in touch, not in debt’ message – with very much a focus on ‘welfare’ when making payment arrangements with customers. Also, the increase in Benefits workload as a result of cost of living challenges had really started to impact.

A number of additional demands have been placed on our Revenues and Benefits Service over the last eighteen months, including;

- Household Support Fund;

- Council Tax Energy Rebate;

- Council Tax Hardship Fund;

- Business Rates Relief – including Covid Additional Relief Fund (CARF);

- Increase in Benefits claims/changes;

- Universal Credit changes.

These additional demands should not be underestimated and understandably impacted on levels of performance in some areas. However, despite these major challenges, performance in most areas remained positive – officers were wholly committed to achieving the best possible standards of service to our customers.

The plan for 2023/24 continued to look at a range of key initiatives relating to areas including e-services, financial inclusion and cost of living, as well as standards of performance.