Purpose

This report seeks approval to engage an
external agency outside the Matrix framework to recruit two workers
for a short-term period of nine weeks only. Despite repeated
attempts to recruit two agency workers through Matrix, no suitable
candidates have been secured and therefore no supplier on the
framework can meet the requirements.
 
The additional resource is essential to:

Clear the backlog created by
long-term sickness within the Local Taxation Service, ensuring
timely processing of outstanding work.
Stabilise and strengthen operations
ahead of the main Council Tax billing cycle, enabling the service
to operate efficiently and avoid further delays.
Protect collection performance and
resilience, positioning the team to meet targets and maintain
service continuity.

 
Alternative options, such as offering overtime
within the Local Taxation Service and Contact Centre, have been
trialled but uptake has been minimal and insufficient to resolve
the backlog
 

Decision

The Assistant Executive
Director (Corporate Support) in consultation with the Executive
Director (Resources) approves the recruitment of agency staff
outside of the of the Council’s Matrix agency
framework for a period of nine weeks to support the Local Taxation
Service.

Alternative options considered

Continued reliance on Matrix framework
(unsuccessful previous attempts).
 
Use of overtime (low uptake and limited
impact).