Download Covering report. - Blackpool Council

COMMITTEE:
POLICY, OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
DEPARTMENT:
BUSINESS SERVICES.
DATE: 29/11/05
13. PERFORMANCE INDICATOR BV010 NNDR COLLECTED.
Matter for Consideration
At the Service Development Management Committee meeting on 4th October 2005, the
Committee received information on Performance Indicator BV010 (NNDR collected). The
Committee requested more detailed information be brought to a future Committee meeting
appertaining to the performance of this particular indicator.
Information
The regulations that cover the administration, collection and recovery of Non-Domestic Rates
allow business rate payers to pay over 10 months, normally from April until the following
January much in the same way as Council Tax payers. As almost all businesses pay by
instalments, collection performance can only be compared at the same period year on year
and clearly a large variation would be shown between collection levels in the first quarter of
the current financial year compared to the total collected in the previous year.
Amendments which take place throughout the year in the form of new, increased or
decreased business rates assessments in one year compared to another can also have a
marked effect on collection performance during the course of the financial year. This is why
the usual approach of comparing performance at the end of the financial year is more
appropriate and accurate.
Non-Domestic Rates collection dipped very slightly in 2004/5 to 97.8% (a reduction of 0.4%)
as a result of the implementation of a new computer system. Other local authorities that have
replaced computer systems have experienced much more significant decreases in collection.
The collection performance trend over recent years is one of marked improvement from
94.8% collected in 1997/98 to 98.2% in 2003/4.
We are building on these significant improvements and processes and procedures have been
examined and amended where appropriate in order to improve performance even further.
These include the re-design of the recovery timetable ensuring action is taken even more
swiftly against defaulters, the re-design of billing and recovery stationery and the availability of
debit/credit card payment facilities 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Relevant Officer
Andrew Turpin, Income and Recovery Manager.
Background Papers
Nil.
Recommendations
To note the report and determine whether additional scrutiny of this performance indicator is
required.