HC Deb 21 May 1993 vol 225 c326W
Mr. William Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for the Rate Collection Agency in 1993–94.

Mr. Atkins

For 1993–94, the following performance targets have been set for the agency:—

  1. 1. To reduce rating debt to 1.83 per cent. of the gross collectable rate, excluding late assessments, by 31 March 1994.
  2. 2. To achieve a reduction of 2 per cent. in the real value of the unit costs of collecting rates per hereditament.
  3. 3. To generate refunds to 96 per cent. of ratepayers so entitled within 14 days of credits being identified.
  4. 4. To process by 31 March 1994, 94 per cent. of applications for the incoming year received from existing housing benefit recipients before 15 March 1994.
  5. 5. To achieve a reduction of 1.8 per cent. in the real value of unit costs of processing housing benefit cases.
  6. 6. To assess 96 per cent. of housing benefit claims free of error.