Bexley gets into sharing

The London Borough of Bexley has signed a three-year extension and expansion to its existing partnership with Capita Local Government to provide a range of back-office services, including council tax and business rates administration, benefits administration, and the financial assessment service.

The £14 million contract will run through to June 2019, twenty-three years after the original contract was signed by the two parties.

Capita intends on leveraging its existing benefits home visiting team to enhance the financial assessments process and deliver an even more efficient service for the Council and residents.  

Cllr Colin Campbell, cabinet member for finance and corporate services, said, "In our drive to achieve better value for money we are always looking for smarter ways of working that can be used to save time and money. The new financial assessments and benefits team will deliver on both of these. By improving our organisation and systems, we are committed to making sure that every pound spent provides value for money and that every pound saved is directed back into front line services that people rely on each day."

"Our existing contract with Bexley has been a success and delivered efficiencies for the Council at a time when local authorities across the country are having to meet real financial challenges," said Mark Chapman, business director, Capita Local Government Services. "The London Borough of Bexley's decision to continue to work with Capita demonstrates its commitment to providing excellent customer services, even when purse strings have been tightened. We look forward to continuing this partnership and welcoming the new employees to Capita."