Nicola Hesketh Project and Information Co Ordinator

Our Ref: FOI4863/NH/03 Please ask for: Nicola Hesketh Direct dial: 01827 709 587 E-mail: FOImailbox@tamworth.gov.uk

[Name Redacted] [Address Redacted] 8th January 2018 Dear

[Name Redacted] Freedom of Information – Request for Information With regards to your recent enquiry for information held by the Authority under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. Please find the information you requested below with reference in the box to your original enquiry for clarity where multiple answers are required. Details of Your Request The response to your request as follows: Please see attached PDF in relation to: Council Tax Business Rates Commercial Arrears High Court Writs

I would be most grateful if you would provide me, under the Freedom of Information Act, details in respect to the contracts below, details of which can be found on the second page of this document: Enforcement/ Debt Collection Contracts – For Parking Fines, Council Tax, Business Rates, Commercial Rents, High Court Writs The details we require are:

Your current suppliers used to collect the above debts?

Number of cases issued to each enforcement agent for the immediate past 2 financial years, and year to date?

Enforcement/ Debt Collection contract start dates and end dates, and any contract extension provisions?

Type of the most recent procurement process for enforcement services eg Tender, Concession etc?

Whether your Revenue and Benefits and/or Parking Service is outsourced and if so, to whom?

The name and job title of the senior officer (outside of procurement) responsible for this contract?

Parking Fines – This responsibility is carried out by Staffordshire County Council, if you have not done so already please direct your request by email to the following address: foi@Staffordshire.gov.uk

Or alternatively by post to: Information Governance Unit Staffordshire County Council Wedgwood Building - Block A Tipping Street Stafford ST16 2DH Parking Fines current annual reports can be found at: https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/yourcouncil/transparency/parkingdata/Parking-data.aspx IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT USE OF INFORMATION PROVIDED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FoIA) Most of the information that we provide in response to Freedom of Information Act 2000 requests will be subject to copyright protection. In most cases the copyright will be owned by Tamworth Borough Council. The copyright in other information may be owned by another person or organisation, as indicated on the information itself. You are free to use any information supplied for your own non-commercial research or private study purposes. The information may also be used for any other purpose allowed by a limitation or exception in copyright law, such as news reporting. However, any other type of re-use, for example by publishing the information in analogue or digital form, including on the internet, will require the permission of the copyright owner. For information where the copyright is owned by Tamworth Borough Council details of the conditions on re-use can be provided on application to the contact below. For information where the copyright is owned by another person or organisation you must apply to the copyright owner to obtain their permission. This council also believes in transparency of information, this includes requests made under the Freedom of Information Act and the Environmental Information Regulations and we reserve the right to publish these requests in our Disclosure Log along with the response, the requestors name and/or company where the information is requested on a regular basis. Care shall be taken not to publish your email address or physical address where it is considered personal information as defined under the Data Protection Act 1998. Project and Information Coordinator, Tamworth Borough Council, Marmion House, Lichfield Street, Tamworth, B79 7BZ Details of Tamworth Borough Council’s internal review and complaints procedure are attached, in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

Yours Sincerely

Nicola Hesketh Project and Information Coordinator

Reply Form – Enforcement/ Debt Collection Contracts – For Parking Fines, Council Tax, Business Rates, Commercial Rents, High Court Writs Q1. Your current suppliers used to collect the following debts

Q1 Debt Types Company A Company B Company C Company D

Parking Fines

Council Tax Bristow & Sutor

Rossendales

Business Rates Bristow & Sutor

Rossendales

Commercial Arrears Bristow & Sutor

High Court Writs Wilkin Chapman

Q2. Number of cases issued to enforcement agents for the immediate past 2 financial years, year to date

Q2 Debt Types 2015/16 2016/17 2017/ 18 (YTD)

Parking Fines

Council Tax 1,904 1,806 1,321

Business Rates 50 98 40

Commercial Arrears 3 4 5

High Court Writs 7

Q3. Enforcement/ Debt Collection contract start date and end date, and any contract extension provisions

Q3 Debt Types Contract Start Date

Contract End Date

Contract Extension Provision

Parking Fines

Council Tax 31 March 2018

Business Rates 31 March 2018

Commercial Arrears 31 March 2018

High Court Writs

Q4. Details of your most recent procurement process for enforcement services

Q4 Debt Types Competitive Tender

Competitive Presentation

Local Authority Lead Framework Agreement

Dynamic Purchasing System

eg YPO

Concession

Parking Fines

Council Tax Yes

Business Rates Yes

Commercial Arrears Yes

High Court Writs Yes

Q5. Are your Revenue and Benefits or Parking Services outsourced, and if they are, please state who is the supplier responsible for each or both services eg Capita, Arvato, Agilisys etc? N/a Q6. The name and job title of the senior officer (outside of procurement) responsible for this contract? Council Tax, Business Rates and Commercial Arrears Michael Buckland Head of Revenues