Merton improves tax administration

London borough council uses system to speed up revenues and benefits processing

Merton Borough Council is installing a system to streamline its council tax and benefits administration.

The London local authority will use the system to allow its 120 revenues staff to keep a better track on its 80,000 council tax accounts and 21,000 benefits claimants.

It is also hoped the system will allow Merton to deal with customer applications much more quickly, by changing the way they are administered within the council.

Local citizens will also be able to log onto the council web site and access forms and information.

The challenge for the council is to continually improve the way it handles the vast amount of claims it receives from the local community, says London Borough of Merton revenues and benefits manager David Keppler.

'It is vital that we have the right IT solution in place to support this. The IBS OpenSystems application we have taken on offers rich functionality,' he said.

'We are confident it will help us deliver online services in line with e-government requirements and generate much needed savings.'

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Further reading:

• SAP rollout helps cut council costs
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• District council to overhaul processes