2016-09-06 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                       6 SEPTEMBER 2016


5.        Payment Preferences and Arrangements to Pay
Bpay continues to be the most popular payment options by far, accounting for 57.5% of all
money received, followed by over the counter payments (including cheques mailed into Council)
at 11.8%. Payments at Australia Post offices account for a further 9.3%, the automated phone
payments total 8.1%, with online payments at 6.7%, and direct debit representing 6.6%.

There are currently 433 properties that have made an arrangement to pay off their current rates
in accordance with section 2.5.2 of the Revenue Statement, representing $334k of the
outstanding rates and charges, slightly down on previous levies. This indicates that there has not
been an increase in number of ratepayers unable to pay their bi-annual notice within the 30-day
period.

6.        Further Recovery Action
In June 2016 we referred 13 commercial and non-principal place of residence properties (with a
combined debt of $177,000) to an outside debt collector as part of a debt collection trial, as all
previous attempts by Council staff to recover the outstanding rates had failed.

To date we have received payments totalling $70,500 from these property owners, with 6
properties clearing their debt, and one property owner entering into an arrangement to pay. The
next step on the 6 remaining properties will be to commence court action. Consideration will now
be given to preparing debt recovery procedures that specify the criteria for referral to an external
debt recovery agency.

Previous Council Consideration

Nil.
Finance & Risk
There are no properties where the current rates and charges balance is close to the rateable
value of the land, consequently there is no default payment risk of any rates and charges being
written off as bad debts that could impact on Council’s financial sustainability.
Consultation
External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder
Nil

Internal Consultation
Director Corporate Services
Departments/Sections Consulted:

       Chief Executive Officer                Community Services                 X   Corporate Services
       Executive Officer to the Mayor & CEO   Community Facilities                   Financial Services
       Executive Support                      Community Development                  ICT
                                              Libraries & Galleries                  Procurement & Fleet
                                              Local Laws                             Property & Facilities
                                              Waste & Environmental Health       X   Revenue Services

       Executive Office                       Planning & Infrastructure
       Community Engagement                   Building & Plumbing Services
       Customer Service                       Civil Operations
       Economic Development                   Disaster Management
       Governance                             Infrastructure Planning & Design
       Human Resources                        Planning & Environment
       Sustainability                         Strategic Land Use Planning



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