Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Head of Treasury Services.

Scrutiny Committee – Resources considered the report at their meeting on 28 January 2009 and their comments will be reported.

(Report circulated)

The report of the Head of Treasury Services was submitted, seeking approval for the Corporate Debt Policy.

Scrutiny Committee – Resources considered the report at their meeting on 28 January 2009 and the support and comments of members were noted.

The Director Corporate Services stated that the Council’s policy was to try to avoid indebtedness in the first instance and to work with debtors to achieve a solution.  The Chair supported the vigorous but flexible approach and the need to avoid incurring significant court costs. Executive members welcomed the policy.

Executive recommended that the Corporate Debt policy be approved.

The report of the Head of Treasury Services was submitted, seeking approval for the Corporate Debt Policy.

Scrutiny Committee – Resources considered the report at their meeting on 28 January 2009 and the support and comments of members were noted.

The Director Corporate Services stated that the Council’s policy was to try to avoid indebtedness in the first instance and to work with debtors to achieve a solution. The Chair supported the vigorous but flexible approach and the need to avoid incurring significant court costs.  Executive members welcomed the policy.

RECOMMENDED that the Corporate Debt policy be approved.

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Head of Treasury Services – report circulated

The Head of Treasury Services presented the report seeking approval for the Corporate Debt Policy. The Council collected £120 million from a number of sources including council tax, housing rents, recovery of housing benefit, non domestic rates and sundry debt. Exeter City Council was committed to improving the standard of service to its customers by adopting best practice in all areas of activity. Although the Council currently had a good record with regard to the recovery of all its debts, it did not currently have a Corporate Debt Policy. The proposed Corporate Debt Policy was a statement of good practice including proposals to formalise procedures throughout the Council.

In answer to a Member’s questions, the Head of Treasury Services stated that there were various methods of payment including direct debits and payments via the internet. The Council employed external debt collectors who were all accredited and possessed a service level agreement with Council. The majority of debt collection was done by the in-house team.

Members were informed that the rate of collection for council tax had been higher this year and that the collection rate for housing rent was also better than the two previous years. The Deputy Chair stated that the Council should publicise its success.

The Scrutiny Committee - Resources endorsed the report and agreed that Executive should approve the Corporate Debt policy.

(Report circulated)