East Riding of Yorkshire Council - which has an 'excellent' CPA rating - and Selby District Council are working in partnership to implement a computer system for revenues and benefits in a new local government initiative. The alliance, an example of joined-up government at a local level, is expected to create cost savings to benefit both councils.
East Riding District Council, which won the IRRV's Benefits Team of the Year award in 2002, followed by the Revenues Team of the Year in 2003, helped to install new web-based revenues and benefits software at Selby District Council. It then trained 40 of its staff to use the software within a six-week timeframe. Roll out of the new system will begin in March 2005, in order to incorporate changes in business rates scheduled for April 2005.
In relation to the efficiency challenge, what potential barriers did they encounter?
- risk aversion
- service policies
- partnerships
- staffing issues
- IT systems
- external pressures