Background and Challenges
Tamworth Council faced a significant challenge with a legacy debt of £330,000 dating back to the early 90s. This debt had a substantial impact on the council's operations, preventing them from progressing with new policies until the legacy debt and arrears were addressed. Recognising the complexity of the situation, the council commissioned our services to conduct a thorough financial audit dating back to 1991 and provide legal advice. This involved navigating an intricate policy environment and necessitated technical expertise and specialist policy advice.
The key themes of this technical programme revolved around technical policy and professional advice, focusing on finding solutions for revenue and benefits, as well as addressing the legacy debt and arrears. It was essential to develop strategies that not only resolved the financial challenges but also aligned with the vulnerability agenda.
Trueman Change Involvement
To assist Tamworth Council in achieving their goal of tackling the legacy debt, resolving arrears, and establishing a solid foundation for future policy development, they engaged our services.
As part of our involvement, we facilitated a collaborative working task group, which included officers from the council such as housing officers, finance officers, and our team. Together, we examined the existing systems, their utilisation, record-keeping practices, and overall service management. This comprehensive assessment allowed us to identify areas for improvement and make informed recommendations.
Our role extended beyond analysis and assessment. We provided policy analysis, conducted benchmarking exercises, and performed a meticulous legal appraisal of available options. This in-depth examination of the finances enabled us to offer the council comprehensive advice on the legal options at their disposal
Moreover, we introduced a new client-facing process that emphasised the vital connection between financial issues and the vulnerability experienced by individuals and households. By addressing these intertwined aspects, we aimed to support the council in not only resolving their financial challenges but also ensuring the well-being of their constituents.
Throughout our engagement, we maintained close communication with the council's portfolio holder, holding dedicated sessions to discuss our findings and recommendations. This collaborative approach ensured that our extensive report and cabinet paper effectively informed the council's decision-making processes and charted a path forward for their emergency accommodation approach.
By leveraging our expertise in policy analysis, benchmarking, and legal appraisal, we helped Tamworth Council establish a solid foundation for their future policy development. Our comprehensive examination of the finances and introduction of a client-facing process underscored the council's commitment to addressing financial challenges while prioritising the vulnerability of individuals and households.
Outcomes and Solutions
Our collaborative efforts with Tamworth Council yielded significant outcomes and solutions to address the challenges posed by the legacy debt and arrears. The council enthusiastically accepted and implemented our cabinet paper and new policy, leading to transformative changes within their emergency accommodation approach.
One of the notable achievements was the council's satisfaction with the legal options available for resolving the legacy debt and arrears. Leveraging our expertise, we enabled the council to legally reconcile £330,000 in legacy arrears related to bed and breakfast accommodations. This reconciliation marked a substantial milestone in the council's financial recovery.
Additionally, we developed and implemented a novel approach to emergency accommodation charging. This involved producing a comprehensive policy analysis investigation and creating relevant training materials for staff. Through our efforts, we ensured policy clarity and equipped staff with the necessary knowledge and tools to handle systems and effectively manage future arrears.
The outcomes of our work extended beyond financial reconciliation. We successfully increased benefit take-up for individuals in emergency situations, ensuring that they receive direct financial support more quickly. This improvement in the delivery of financial aid directly addressed the vulnerability of individuals and households in need.
The outcomes of our work extended beyond financial reconciliation. We successfully increased benefit take-up for individuals in emergency situations, ensuring that they receive direct financial support more quickly. This improvement in the delivery of financial aid directly addressed the vulnerability of individuals and households in need.
Overall, our involvement resulted in tangible outcomes, including the reconciliation of £330,000 worth of historic arrears and the implementation of a streamlined process for individuals to receive direct financial support more efficiently. The council benefited from improved policy clarity, enhanced staff capabilities, and increased benefit take-up for those in need. Through our comprehensive approach, we helped the council address their financial challenges while prioritising the well-being of individuals and ensuring a more effective emergency accommodation system.
