Richmondshire District Council’s
revenues, benefits and housing system is to undergo a major
software upgrade over the next two months.
The computer system used by council officers
to assess claims for housing and council tax benefits, operate
council house rent accounts and calculate council tax and business
rates is being replaced to improve the service to customers.
And while there will be no disruption to
existing and new claims or payments, officers are asking that
customers bear with them during the changeover. Revenues, Benefits,
Housing and Customer Service officers will be available as usual to
discuss issues customers have, and offer advice and assistance.
“The computer software we are using in
Richmondshire has not been upgraded since the 1990s and is
outdated,” said Assistant Director, Simon Fletcher.
“Although it will take eight weeks for us to
move to the new system customers in the main will be
unaffected. However we do ask them to bear with us if
we are running a little slow during this time – we will get there
and we will end up with a much more efficient service.”
“Housing benefits, council house rents and new
claims will be treated and paid as normal, but anyone with a change
of circumstances will have to cancel direct debit payments through
their banks themselves. But we ask that you please
check with customer service staff before taking any action.”
The new system will go ‘live’ at the end of
September. It will match that used by Hambleton
District Council with which Richmondshire operate a shared revenues
and benefits service.
July 15, 2011
Print page