More cash for council through improved performance

Published by webmaster for Salisbury District Council in Communities

Salisbury District Council attracted an additional £455,000 by improving its performance in the collection of council tax and benefits in 2005/6.

The money came in the form of grants from central government and other efficiency savings.

Over half of the total (£243,000) was attributable to overpayments in benefits that were recovered by the council.

The council operates the housing and council tax benefit systems but the money comes from the government. If someone claiming benefit starts work and fails to inform the council, an overpayment builds up. However, the government allows councils to keep the money that they are able to recover from people who have been overpaid.

The council also received additional subsidy of £93,000 from the Department of Work and Pensions for its success in tackling benefit fraud.

The final element of £119,000 was made up of a range of efficiency savings, including £64,000 through more effective use of staff.

Phil Ruddle, Head of Revenues and Benefits at Salisbury District Council said: "Meeting targets, whether they have been set locally or nationally, is not an academic exercise and delivering service improvements is not just about hitting targets. It is about using our resources as effectively as possible to the financial benefit of all local people.”

Salisbury District Council’s deputy portfolio holder for Resources, Cllr Sara Willan, said: "This is a clear demonstration of the financial benefits to be gained by operating more efficiently.

Constant improvement in the way in which we do things makes a real contribution to council finances and reduces pressure on levels of council tax.”

Ends

Press release issued: August 25 2006