Rochdale and Blackpool councils are planning to adopt new revenues and benefits systems to save money and free-up funds for front-line services.

The system, which will integrate the collecting of council tax and the administration of benefits distribution, will go live later this year.

Both councils will use the Anite-supplied Pericles system to help get major efficiencies in the administration of tax and benefits, but are also looking to use the system to move information to their front-desks quicker.

Peter Monaghan, the head of revenues and benefits at Blackpool Council, says there is now wide recognition that the public sector must share and rationalise its IT systems in order to drive down costs.

'We need to deliver better-informed services for the public. Blackpool's relationship on a previous project with Fylde has already proved a successful business model,' he said.

'The council is looking forward to delivering a similar managed service to Rochdale.'

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