Finance

Pursue vigorously the availability of rebates and make certain the Council ensures that all sections of the community are made aware of their rights.

Labour will clarify and simplify forms and procedures and will strive to ensure that all letters and correspondence from the Borough Council in relation to bills and rebates are written in clear and easily understood English.

Support a debt counselling service, mindful of the current crisis of housing repossessions because of mortgage arrears and negative equity.

Claim Processing Time

As at Friday 27 June 1997, all completed claims were being processed within one week, compared with our target of 14 days, with the exception of new Council tenant rent rebate claims which is discussed below. As a result of the introduction of the new Simdell Rent System, there is a backlog of 121 new Council tenant claims outstanding in respect of rent rebates. This represents only 2.5% of the Council tenant's claims and the vast majority (4,901) are existing claimants and renewals which are not subject to this delay. As the rents and references have not been available automatically through the interface the requisite information is incomplete. The claims are being progressed as far as possible and as most claims are for both rent rebate and Council Tax, the Council Tax Benefit is being processed. The resolution of the outstanding issues on the Simdell System is being given the highest corporate priority. When the required information becomes available steps will be taken to complete the backlog of claims.

The number of items sent in support of claims which have not been dealt with within two days

As at the close of business on 27 June, there were no items over two days old which had not been dealt with. This means that the target has been met.

Amount of Benefit Saved by Fraud Detection

As at 27 June, the Fraud Section have already detected weekly benefit savings of Ł155,586, compared with the twelve month target of Ł241,582 set by the Department of Social Security. We have also identified Ł35,493 in benefit overpaid which the authority seeks to recover.

Campaign to return the millions of pounds taken from Maidstone by Whitehall over the last seventeen years; stressing that it is Government underfunding and not the actions of the Kent County Council that is responsible for the increases in Council Tax and the reduction in services.

Enable greater scrutiny of services and expenditure to ensure value for money by involving the public and representative groups in the budget process.

Protect civil liberties and ensure that Council Tax collectors are accountable to Councillors and act with legal powers and the guidance set by Councillors.

Strive to set a budget in consultation with the people of the borough which protects services and jobs.

Work with the Maidstone Borough Council and the Kent Labour Members of the European Parliament in pursuing all available support from the European Union, including projects which are environmentally sustainable, such as the Maidstone Initiative in Sustainable Transport.

Campaign for the increase to effective levels of public funding for public services, in the Borough and County wide, to protect and enhance the quality of provision in such vital areas as education.

Maidstone Labour Group

LABOUR WILL TAKE THE BUDGET DEBATE TO THE COMMUNITY - NOT KEEP IT TO THE TOWN HALL

Labour councils provide QUALITY AND VALUE for your money.