New MSDC appointment strengthens links with neighbouring councils

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New MSDC appointment strengthens links with neighbouring councils

CenSus is the Central Sussex local government partnership that is combining many of the administrative functions of Mid Sussex, Horsham and Adur District Councils. Established nearly two years ago, it aims to increase efficiency and save an estimated £1.1million in its first five years.

CenSus was launched in 2005, the first initiative of its kind in West Sussex, which took shape after 18 months of discussions between chief executives and senior councillors of the three authorities. There followed a feasibility study, which clearly identified a range of likely advantages.

Its first project was too pool the benefits of information and communications technology so that resources, expertise and modern technology could be used more efficiently allowing more local government communications to be delivered straight into people's homes and offices. The combined operation now handles electronic services to about 136,000 homes and nearly ten 10,000 non-domestic rates accounts, throughout central Sussex, serving a population of approximately 340,000.

The next major step in the development of the scope of the CenSus Partnership is to incorporate the billing and collection of all Council Tax and Business Rates. With the recent appointment of a Head of Revenues for the three linked councils, the process has begun.

New Working Practices

The appointment of Tim Delany, 54, as Head of Revenuesstrengthens the bonds between the three local authorities and introduces groundbreaking new working practices.

"As far as I'm aware, this element of the partnership arrangement is unique in the UK," says Tim. "Where other district councils have joined forces, there has been a physical move to a centralised point. What we are doing is to combine the three councils' functions relating to the billing and collection of Council Tax and non-domestic rates, whilst maintaining the status of each of us as completely separate authorities."

"We aim to establish a ‘virtual office' in which staff work as one unit on separate sites," says Tim. "Apart from standardising systems and increasing efficiency, the system has potential for introducing much greater cost effectiveness."

Tim, who was formerly Benefits Manager at Bristol City Council, has a desk at MSDC's offices in Haywards Heath, but plans to spend as much time in Horsham and Shoreham once the system is up and running."I've been impressed by the positive attitude by staff at all three of the offices," says Tim. "They are all aware of the fundamental cultural changes that the initiative is going to create, but they are also aware of the sense it makes, and the opportunities for improved customer service that it will offer."

ENDS

PR 570/TM/DJ

19 March 2007