Date: 12 July 2016
Issue: SNCPR11875
For Immediate Release
Joint working delivers improved council tax collections
In figures released by the Department for Communities and Local Government*, it has been revealed that council tax rate collections for South Northamptonshire Council (SNC) and Cherwell District Council (CDC) are now ranked within the top five in the country, thanks to joint working efforts.
Both SNC and CDC achieved an overall collection rate of 99.1 per cent for 2015 to 2016 alongside Epsom and Ewell, Rushcliffe and North Kesteven. The average collection rate for the Shire districts in 2015 to 2016 was 98 per cent and nationally 97.1 per cent.
Cllr Peter Rawlinson, portfolio holder for finance and procurement at SNC, said: “This high standard of collection is great news for residents as it means those who do pay are not subsidising those who do not.
“As a council we have to ensure that the funding we need to deliver our services to the community is met, and we have a responsibility to ensure that everyone contributes. We at SNC pride ourselves on delivering a fair and consistent collections service and are very pleased with this great result, which proves how effective joint working can be.
“By learning from this best practice we have been able to build on the great results at SNC, to the benefit of both councils and residents.”
In 2011 to 2012 CDC’s collection rate was at 98.3** per cent. This has now increased to 99.1 per cent, and an overall increase in collected revenue of over £9 million for 2015 to 2016. By working together the councils have shared and adopted best practice, including the use of an extended out-of-hours service, to significantly improve collection rates.
Historically, SNC has run an out-of-hours collections service which runs from 6pm to 9pm, Monday to Thursday, in order to allow customers to get in touch when they are less busy, pay their council tax and ask any questions they might have as well as enable the collections team to contact them.
As part of SNC and CDC’s joint working, this practice was extended to CDC, which has been instrumental in helping to achieve this improved result.
For more information on Council Tax you can visit our web page or contact the team on 01327 322190.
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Notes to editors: * Source:
Source**
For press enquiries, please contact
Eleanor Roberts
South Northamptonshire Council
01327 322096