TAMWORTH BOROUGH COUNCIL REVENUES DIVISION
JOB DESCRIPTION
IIDENTIFYING FACTS
Post Title:Revenues Visiting Assistant
Grade:5
Reporting To:Senior Revenues Billing and Collection Assistant
Department:Revenues
IIJOB PURPOSE
To ensure that all Revenues billing administration is carried out, including the correct recording of data on computer systems, proper awarding of reliefs, discounts and exemptions.
To deal with appropriate levels of correspondence and notifications of changes in circumstances as well as maintenance of accurate records from information received from the Valuation Office, The Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths and other relevant Council Departments and public and private bodies.
To ensure accurate notifications and other correspondence about Revenues accounts are issued within the Council’s performance requirements. This will include the service of documents.
They will visit properties to establish liability, discounts, exemptions and reliefs from Council Tax and Business Rates. They will also inspect properties to establish whether the property is occupied or not, dealing with potential tracing.Identify any possible changes and collect evidence in support of Valuation Office Agency queries.
IIIKEY AREAS
1. Administration
2. Liaison
3. Information Technology
4. General
5. Training
1. Administration
1.1Ensure that all of the District’s Revenues accounts are administered in line with legislation and the Council’s policies and procedures.
1.2Ensure that all legislative, policy and guidance changes are correctly applied within the timescales as set out by the Head of Revenues or by those he has delegated authority to.
1.3Apply discretion in dealing with account administration where it is allowed within the law.
1.4Assist with the despatch of all Revenues account correspondence in a timely manner. This will include all bills (including main billing), reminders, canvasses, and the service of committal and recovery documents.
1.5Set up and monitor special payment arrangements where required dealing with reminders and final notices.
1.6Set up Direct Debit payments and monitor as required, including rejections.
1.7Apply and process Revenues changes in accounts and monitor changes in Revenues status, including property bands, rateable values, empty properties, discounts, exemptions and reliefs as required.
1.8Monitor notices of deaths to ensure appropriate and timely adjustments to Council Tax & Sundry Income accounts.
1.9Provide advice and guidance on policy and procedures, rules and regulations to the public or other staff on Revenues legislation.
1.10To visit appropriate properties and make a diligent search to verify whether the property is now occupied or is still empty, make attempts to obtain forwarding addresses, establish liability, eligibility for discounts, exemptions and reliefs, confirm the state of the property and completion of any works, etc.
1.11To follow the Council’s lone worker procedures and adhere to call in procedures by reporting to the Senior Revenues Billing & Collection Assistant/Revenues Recovery Officer.
1.12Record visits as appropriate and report all issues to the appropriate officer.
1.13Review forms and requests for further information and undertake visits where forms have not been returned. They will also visit properties where mail has been returned and where there has been reported discrepancies and non-disclosure of a change in circumstances. All visits are to be documented in the relevant Revenues system(s).
2. Liaison
2.1Maintain personal, telephone and written contact with the unit’s customers in relation to Revenues administration within established standards.
2.2Liaise with other sub-sections of the Authority to ensure correctness of records and efficient recovery of revenue.
2.3Maintain good working relationships with Council departments and other agencies to ensure that administration targets are optimised through information sharing, keeping within all appropriate data protection and confidentiality legislative requirements.
3. Information Technology
3.1Ensures that all data is correctly recorded in line with established procedures.
3.2The Officer will report all computer issues to the appropriate officer.
3.3Ensures that standard reports and standard letters are produced when required.
3.4Ensure that all computer produced correspondence, bills, notifications, receipts, information requests etc., is timely, accurate, and understandable and conforms to the unit’s standards as well as legislative requirements. Report any shortcomings to the Senior Revenues Billing and Collection Assistant with recommendations for corrective action where appropriate.
4.General
4.1Attend all unit / department meetings when required to do so to enable the cohesion of the team and the consistency of target achievement.
4.2Attend all team development meetings when required.
4.3To undertake all corporate requirements on health and safety, equal opportunities, data protection, risk management and financial regulations.
5. Training
To undertake any training as identified.
Note:
The tasks identified are indicative and subject to variation. Employees are expected to demonstrate flexibility and undertake any duties assigned to a like valued post.
Staff are expected to provide assistance to all areas of the team to ensure maintenance of overall service provision.
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