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Border relations

Neighbouring councils keen to improve but lacking the resources required have joined forces to get results

Robert Bullard
Wednesday November 15, 2006
The Guardian

Breckland district council, in Norfolk, used to be one of the worst performing councils for assessing housing benefit claims. Residents waited an average of 122 days. That was four years ago. But the council has achieved a dramatic turnaround. As a result of merging its housing benefit and other revenue services with Forest Heath district council, in neighbouring Suffolk, claimants now wait only 16 days.

In April 2003, the two councils' revenue services - housing benefit, council tax and non-domestic rates - merged to become Anglia Revenues Partnership (ARP) in a public-private partnership with Capita and Civica. As well as sharing the same IT system, they have a common claim form, joint accommodation - the Forest Heath team had to move 11 miles - and joint staff.

"Both councils were undertaking best value reviews to identify ways to improve performance," explains Sharon Jones, ARP revenue and benefits manager, "and just when Brecklands was negotiating a new contract with its computer company, Forest Heath realised it too needed to upgrade its system." Each council had ruled out investing in new technology as a route to improving performance becau se they regarded themselves as too small to make it worthwhile, unless they did the unthinkable and merged their services.

As well as common IT needs, the councils had the advantage of being of the same political control and geographic neighbours. "We had our hairy moments," admits Jones. "The councils had to learn to trust one another." And everyone had to be signed up to the plan, she adds, or the whole thing could fail.

The benefits of the merger, say the councils, are reduced costs, improved performance and better services.

Maggie Hendrix, an officer at the union Unison, admits that Forest Heath employees were concerned about their longer journey to work and the differences in terms and conditions between the two authorities, but three years on they are about to be harmonised.

The commute is even more of an issue for staff at East Cambridgeshire district council, which will join ARP in April. A dozen people there are faced with an additional 30-mile journey each way. Help with travel costs, or a minibus, are being considered. Further afield, West Dorset and Weymouth & Portland district councils are also following ARP's example and merging the same services.

Will more mergers follow? Alex Colyer, executive director of finance at East Cambridgeshire district council, says: "Councillors have to be willing to give up control of a service they provide to every household for a place on a joint board." But he is confident that the investments of time and political will be worthwhile.

Breckland and Forest Heath councils have been awarded "beacon" status for transforming the delivery of services through partnership. Both have saved some £200,000 a year; staff costs are 10% lower (through natural wastage); IT maintenance is 20% lower; and accommodation and procurement costs have decreased.

As well as benefit claimants waiting less time, which has propelled both councils up the best value performance table, Breckland has increased revenues by collecting more of its council tax. Staff have benefited too. ARP has a dedicated training officer, as well as appeals and income managers, none of whom either council could afford alone.

www.angliarevenues.gov.uk
 

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