Your Customer Contract for Council Tax

This is our promise of what you can expect from the Revenues Service in Tameside

A message from the Head of Exchequer and Support Services

We are committed to delivering a high quality service. We are an organisation of people serving people and that relationship on an individual basis is critical to our success.

We have improved our processes, reduced costs, attacked fraud and now have one of the highest collection rates in Greater Manchester for one of the lowest costs.

Revenues staff are committed to continually improving the service provided to Tameside residents. The more effectively Council Tax is collected, the better the financial position of the Council. If taxes are collected on time the Council can fund its services without having to borrow money and pay interest, thus allowing more money to be spent on services.

The Government has recognised the high standards of service by awarding Tameside’s Revenues Division the Charter Mark. This is awarded for excellence in public services.

The Judging Panel concluded that the Revenues Service is a well organised, caring service which is of exceptionally high quality.

Our commitment to the training and development of our staff has been recognised by the Revenues Division being given Investors in People status. We have also developed our own continuous improvement programme. This is used by many of the most successful and highly regarded companies. Our recent innovations for customers have been extra evening and Saturday morning opening at some of our Customer Service Centres and the provision for easy payment of Council Tax by credit/debit cards over the telephone, and on our website.

This contract tells you what you can expect from your Council Tax service. It sets standards and makes promises on the service quality which customers can expect. It also explains how customers can help to ensure that these standards are maintained.

I hope by producing the Contract it will have an impact on improving our service. We are always keen to hear your suggestions of ways to do this and welcome comments and complaints as being helpful.

I know that the knowledge, experience and above all, commitment of staff will be a major contribution to achieving these aims successfully. This is the first Council Tax Service Contract. I hope you find it interesting and useful.

Executive Director (Neighbourhood and Community Services)

Help us to Avoid Sending you an Incorrect Bill

Please tell us immediately of any changes in your circumstances which may affect your Council Tax liability.

These are some of the changes which should be reported:

• If you move house.
• Someone comes to live with you.
• Someone leaves your property or dies.
• If you feel you should be entitled to a discount or any of the exemptions.
• If you cease to be employed or start work.