Revenues Officer

· The role will predominantly be within our Council Tax processing team.

· To manage a particular caseload in the day-to-day administration, billing, collection and recovery of Council Tax (an annual debit of £176M), and Business Rates (annual debit of £320M) and BIDs (annual levy £4M). Interpret and apply the Local Government Finance Act 1992, relevant regulations and Southwark Council's own policies and procedures, ensuring that Best Value indicators on council tax & NNDR collection and debt reduction targets are achieved for your caseload and that quality assurance frameworks are established such that accuracy of data is maintained.

· To identify and take the appropriate collection action on accounts relating to Miscellaneous Income & Housing Benefit Overpayments, liaising with service departments in respect of uncollectable debts.

· To seek the most efficient collection routes meeting council and customers' needs and influence the implementation of best practice processes in performance and service delivery so that the team meets its collection targets and supports broader corporate objectives.

· To be responsible for the accurate establishment of liability and maintenance of Council Tax, NNDR and BIDS databases.

· To take responsibility for a particular area of legislation and contribute to the development and implementation of Council policy in relation to Revenues, HBOP and Miscellaneous income collection and to ensure that the service is operated in accordance with those policies and regulations.

· To represent the Council in all Courts having jurisdiction for the collection and administration of Council Tax and NNDR, selecting cases from your caseload for Court and managing the court process making application for a range of Court orders appropriate for the administration and collection of Local Revenue due to the Council

Key Duties/Accountabilities:

· Respond to, take action and provide technical advice on customers' enquiries, information and applications by telephone, written correspondence, or face-to-face, accurately maintaining customer accounts.

· Assist in the compilation of statistical information for areas such as complaints, members enquiries, Freedom of Information requests, and quality monitoring.

· Maintain effective working relationships and respond to enquiries from registered social landlords, internal council housing, Housing Benefits sections, other local authorities, businesses and BIDs companies, voluntary sector organisations and other central/local government departments. Liaise, work closely with and attend meetings with service providers and stakeholders, as required.

· . Liaise with and instruct the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) to ensure liability is correctly assessed and/or where alterations/amendments to properties may be required, updating the property database as directed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) ensuring the database accurately reflects and reconciles to the Banding List.

· Maximise debt recovery by identifying and taking the appropriate recovery action on debtors' accounts, in line with working procedures and council policies.

· Manage cases on Attachment of Benefit and Attachment of Earnings Orders and ensure correct allocation of payments on receipt.

· Manage cases referred to the bailiffs and other collection agencies, inform them of changes to liability affecting the debt and ensure correct allocation of payment on receipt.

· Develop recommendations for write-offs and process these in compliance with Council policy and procedure.

· Represent the Council on your own caseload in all appropriate Courts with delegated authority for the recovery and collection of Local Revenue due to the Council.

· Select cases for action, applying appropriate types of action.

· Manage the case with all elements including review, monitoring, preparation and giving evidence in Court proceedings.

· Represent the Council at Valuation Tribunals, Judicial Reviews and in litigation matters where actions are bought against the local authority

· At least 3 years' experience as a Revenues Officer in both Council Tax and NDR.

· Significant experience of Revenues administration, working practice and procedures preferably in a delivery role.

· Experience of dealing directly with, and advising, members of the public in a professional manner under all circumstances.

· Experience of attending and interviewing customers at Court.