Councils opt for Northgate

Published by Danny Calogero for Fellows Associates in Local Government and also in Bill Payments, Central Government, Communities, Health, Housing

More than half of the recently formed unitary authorities in England have chosen Northgate Public Services as their partner to supply revenues and benefits software and help deliver better services for less to their citizens.

In April 2009, nine unitary authorities were created in Bedfordshire, Cheshire, Cornwall, County Durham, Wiltshire, Northumberland, and Shropshire. One of the challenges these new authorities faced was how best to consolidate the 37 different revenues and benefits applications used under the previous structures to the nine required as unitaries.

Five of the unitary councils have now chosen Northgate as their supplier, including the three authorities that went out for fully open procurement. Most recently Wiltshire Council and Northgate have joined forces to improve customer service by offering greater access and availability to citizens and streamlining service processes to drive efficiencies that will deliver cost savings to the council.

The news further consolidates Northgate’s position as the market leader for revenues and benefits software and the first choice for unitary councils. Northgate is committed to working in partnership with local authorities to make change work and deliver better for less. 

Ian Blackhurst, Managing Director, Northgate Public Services, said today: “We are delighted that so many authorities recognise Northgate as a safe pair of hands and have chosen us as their partner. We are committed to making change work and have a strong track record of working with unitaries and other larger authorities. Our expertise in this area will help to deliver much needed service improvements and cost savings to the council and their citizens.”

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For more information
Fellows’ Associates

Danny Calogero          
+44(0)20 7324 6223; +44(0)7534 189235
Hannah Smith   
+44(0)20 7324 6221; +44(0)7949 421356

Notes to editors

1. Northgate Public Services is an innovative provider of transformation and improvement services to the public sector. It is committed to high quality public services that place individuals and their communities at their heart. Its knowledge and understanding of people’s needs are core to its business, as too, is its depth and breadth across public services.
2. Northgate’s task is to enhance public value through the intelligent use of people and technology; to understand why and what change is necessary; to provide new thinking leading to improved performance; and to link company rewards with positive outcomes for the communities for whom it works. It supports transformation through sustainable performance partnerships.
3. In the UK, Northgate works with ninety five per cent of local authorities, every police force, and a large number of health organisations, housing associations, utilities and transport companies. Founded in 1969, the company has more than 12,000 employees.