Revenues Assistant - Council Tax & Business Rates

Council Tax & Business Rates Revenues Assistant (Recovery & Inspection)

Local Authority Client

SW London Area

3 Months +

GBP18.00 per hour

The Client has an immediate requirement for a Revenues Assistant with experience of working on cases where recovering council tax and business rates arrears, with some assistance on sundry debts and housing benefit overpayments, will be needed. Sometimes these could be quite complex cases which will draw on your experience and knowledge of debt management and dealing with sensitive and difficult situations. You will be supporting some of our most vulnerable customers; helping them to access support that could possibly improve their situation.

To work alongside the Recovery and Inspection Officer in the recovery caseload of Local Taxation debt to ensure all cases are monitored and moved to the appropriate recovery stage at the earliest opportunity.

Have contact with taxpayers by phone, written and face to face to advise and make appropriate payment arrangements.

To assist, as required, to carry property inspections for council tax and business rate properties to confirm properties are empty, identify new taxpayers/owners, confirm reduction entitlements and contact debtors.

You will use Microsoft Office (in particular Excel) where required.

You will update and maintain revenues, benefits and sundry debts software.

You will use good communication and negotiation skills, which will allow you to deal with difficult situations in a tactful and assertive manner.

You will maintain a good knowledge of the relevant legislation and court cases, plus different recovery methods and their legal requirements to ensure any actions taken are legally appropriate.

You will review and monitor all recovery cases to make sure they are at or progressed to an appropriate recovery stage without delay.

You will make appropriate payment arrangements and monitor all arrangements in place.

You will refer appropriate accounts to the Council's authorised Enforcement Agents, utilising the online portal to respond to subsequent enquiries from customers.

You will initiate Attachment to Earnings and Attachment to Benefit Orders, monitoring the arrangements and taking remedial action as required.

You will trace absconded defaulters through data searches, initiating correspondence and telephone enquiries to landlords, agents, solicitors and other organisations.

You will assist the Recovery and Inspection Officer at the Magistrates Court, making payment arrangements and undertaking any appropriate follow-up action.

You will be expected to personally contact (using both phone and personal calling) debtors.

You will have and maintain a close liaison with other relevant sections of the Council and external organisations.

You will need to provide cover to ensure that sundry debts and housing benefit overpayment enquiries are processed and kept up to date.

You will deal with sundry debtor enquiries.

You will assist in aspects of Valuation, including site visits, updating the system, liaising with the other departments (both internal and external) to ensure the valuation lists are properly maintained and revenue is maximised