Issue - items at meetings - Income Collection & Recovery 2008/09 - Quarter 4

Report of the Director of Finance & Resources (copy attached).

1.       That the contents of the report be noted.

11.1    The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Finance & Resources, which updated the Member on the income collection and recovery performance as at quarter 4 (March 2009) and highlighted the continuing improvement and best practice actions (for copy see minute book).

11.2    The Cabinet Member noted that the performance on debts recovery and the direct debits take up had been positive. She pointed out that this had benefits for both the council and the customers. She also noted the challenges for 2010-11.

11.3    The Opposition Spokesperson, Labour Group, referred to the parking operations and noted the difficulty in getting income return from this area.  He reported that commercial vehicles were often parked on double-lines and nothing seemed to happen to deter them from this practice. He noted the examples of such practice in parts of Vale Road and St Nicholas Junior School, both in the Portslade area, and enquired about the measures in place to deal with this matter. He considered that more enforcement was required and thought that it would be more valuable if the council officers in charge of the enforcement turned up at the problematic areas unexpected. 

11.4    The Opposition Spokesperson further indicated that he was pleased with the results provided in the report, in light of the difficult economic situation. He also noted his disappointment about the fact that there was only one item on the agenda for this Cabinet Member meeting.

11.5    The Cabinet Member noted that enforcement might be the way forward to dealing with such practices, even though it was recognised that it would be difficult to have enforcement officers available on every school. The Cabinet Member requested that the parking officers present looked into this matter and reported back to her with any information. She also acknowledged the Opposition Spokesperson’s concerns about the topics for discussion and agreed to look into this matter for future meetings.

11.6    Councillor Fallon-Khan referred to the housing benefits. He indicated he had written to the Secretary of State, proposing an analysis of the current means of recovery, but he had not yet received a response. He felt that it was important to work to improving the relationship with the DWP and recognised that the team in place was doing an excellent work in terms of forging that relationship.

11.7    RESOLVED - That the contents of the report be noted.