Issue - meetings

Purpose of Report

To provide the Shared Revenues and Benefits Joint Committee with an update on performance in the Revenues and Benefits Shared Service.

Decision

That the report be noted, with an update to be presented to the next meeting of the Committee on 26 February 2025.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None.

Reason for Decision

The report provided an update on Revenues and Benefits performance in respect of Quarter 2 for the financial year 2024/25.

The Revenues and Benefits Shared Service had now been in operation for thirteen years forming on 1 June 2011, and performance had largely been maintained and improved whilst it continued to provide value for money. Continual improvement and success was being achieved in both statistical and financial performance, as well as positive outcomes for customers of the partner local authorities. However, the Covid-19 global pandemic and then cost of living challenges had understandably impacted on some areas of performance and these impacts were likely to continue for some time

In respect of Council Tax, up to the end of Quarter 2 2024/25, in-year collection for Lincoln was down by 0.20% and North Kesteven down by 0.36% respectively. At the end of November 2024, (comparing to end November 2023),all Lincolnshire Districts’ Council Tax and Business Rates in-year collections were down. The figures would be circulated to members of Shared Revenues and Benefits Joint Committee after this meeting.

At this early stage in the financial year, neither rate was a cause for concern, although, as previously flagged to this Committee, Council Tax collection was generally lower at both regional and national levels - seeming to indicate that some tax payers were struggling to pay their bills as a consequence of cost of living pressures.

In terms of the national context, the latest figures for annual Council Tax in-year collection outturns 2023/24 saw City of Lincoln Council at 246^th (2022/23- 240^th) and North Kesteven 20^th (2022/23- 9^th) out of 296 local authorities of those whose performance was reported. Out of the seven Lincolnshire Districts, for 2023/24 City of Lincoln and North Kesteven achieved 6^th and 1^st highest collections, respectively.

In respect of Business Rates, up to the end of Quarter 2 2024/25 compared to the same point in 2023/24, in-year collection was up by 1.44% for Lincoln; North Kesteven down by 0.42% and West Lindsey down by 1.32%.

In terms of the national context, the latest available figures were for annual Business Rates in-year collection outturns 2023/24. City of Lincoln Council’s in-year collection was 96^th (2022/23 22^nd), North Kesteven 39^th (2022/23 14^th) and West Lindsey 95^th (2022/23 162^nd) out of 296 local authorities whose performance was reported. Out of the seven Lincolnshire Districts, for 2023/24, City of Lincoln, North Kesteven and West Lindsey achieved 4^th, 2^nd and 3^rd highest collections, respectively.

There were no major concerns with in-year collection at this early stage of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47

Purpose of Report

To provide the Shared Revenues and Benefits Joint Committee with an update on performance in the Revenues and Benefits Shared Service.

Decision

That the report be noted, with an update to be presented to the next meeting of the Committee on 21 November 2024.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None.

Reason for Decision

The report provided an update on Revenues and Benefits performance in respect of Quarter 1 for the financial year 2024/25.

The Revenues and Benefits Shared Service had now been in operation for thirteen years forming on 1 June 2011, and performance had largely been maintained and improved whilst continuing to provide value for money. Continual improvement and success was being achieved in both statistical and financial performance, as well as positive outcomes for customers of the partner local authorities. However, the Covid-19 global pandemic and then cost of living challenges had understandably impacted on some areas of performance and these impacts were likely to continue for many more months.

In respect of Council Tax, up to the end of Quarter 1 2024/25, in-year collection for Lincoln was down by 0.60% and North Kesteven was down by 0.33% respectively. At the end of August 2024, City of Lincoln figures were down by 0.48% and North Kesteven down by 0.29%. At this early stage in the financial year, neither rate was a cause for concern, although, as previously flagged to this Committee, Council Tax collection was generally lower at both regional and national levels - seeming to indicate that some tax payers were struggling to pay their bills as a consequence of cost of living pressures.

In terms of the national context, latest figures for annual Council Tax in-year collection outturns 2023/24 saw City of Lincoln Council at 246^th (2022/23- 240^th) and North Kesteven 20^th (2022/23- 9^th) out of 296 local authorities whose performance was reported. Out of the seven Lincolnshire Districts, for 2023/24 City of Lincoln and North Kesteven achieved 6^th and 1^st highest collections, respectively.

In respect of Business Rates, up to the end of Quarter 1 2024/25 compared to the same point in 2023/24, in-year collection was down for Lincoln by 0.60%, North Kesteven up by 2.27% and West Lindsey down by 1.82%. At the end of August 2024, the figures painted a relatively similar figure for in-year collection with Lincoln collection down by 0.65% compared to August 2023, North Kesteven down by 0.87%, and West Lindsey down by 2.42%. There were no major concerns with in-year collection at this early stage of the year. It should also be noted that collection has been ‘skewed’ somewhat in recent financial years due to varying criteria/awards of the Expanded Retail Discount (ERD).

In terms of the national context, the latest available figures for annual Business Rates in-year collection outturns 2023/24 saw City of Lincoln Council’s in-year collection at 96^th (2022/23 22nd), North Kesteven 39^th (2022/23 14^th) and West Lindsey 95^{th  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40}