Shropshire citizens are to receive a
transformedrevenues and benefitsservice.
Shropshire County Council and the district or borough councils
of Oswestry, Shrewsbury and Atcham, Bridgnorth, South Shropshire
and North Shropshire are to form a single unitary council,
Shropshire Council, in April 2009.
The new authority's strategy to improve services includes an
"efficient and effective" revenues and benefits service across the
county.
Northgate Information Solutions has been hired to transform
revenues and benefits services for Shropshire's 300,000
population by providing easier access to support.
The initiative will ensure citizens' entitlements are delivered
quickly and effectively, improve service delivery, and streamline
the management and reporting of housing benefits, council tax and
business rates.
Under the seven-year agreement, Northgate will provide
self-service systems, enabling people to make full applications
online and send in the evidence required to assess claims.
The benefits assessment process will be speeded up by enabling
council staff to conduct assessments in people's homes.
Faster and more efficient responses to enquiries are also
promised.
Laura Rowley, director of resources at Shropshire County
Council, said, "It is essential that all members of the community
are able to access the benefits they need, and staff equipped with
the tools to deliver proactive and citizen-centred services."