Issue - items at meetings - Income Collection & Recovery 2008/2009 - Quarter 1

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

1.       That the contents of the report be noted.

41.1    The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Finance & Resources on income collection and recovery performance for 2008/2009 as at Quarter 1 (June 2008).  The report highlighted continuing improvement and best practice actions (for copy, see minute book).

41.2    The Cabinet Member was pleased with the information provided and noted the importance of the reports as they helped to keep track of the Council’s financial position.

41.3    The Opposition Spokesperson referred to the table appended to the report and sought clarification in relation to the 14% of transactions regarding housing rent payments. He indicated that he believed that many people would not have the facility to make direct debit payments and was unsure as to whom exactly that percentage related to.

41.4   The Assistant Director, Financial Services, clarified that 14% was a percentage of the total number of people who were liable to pay rents.

41.5   Councillor Hamilton also requested to know the total number of people making repayments in respect of Housing Benefit overpayments. The Assistant Director offered to find out more about this enquiry and report back to Cllr Hamilton directly.

41.6   RESOLVED – That, having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the Cabinet Member accepted the following recommendation:

          (1)      That the contents of the report be noted.