Purpose

This contract is required to increase income collected in respect of debts where legal action is required to encourage payments, through procurement of an external provider.
There is a requirement for an external provider to undertake high volume and variety of debt for pre-legal and legal services, using appropriate software for data cleansing and enhanced recovery rates, as the capacity and systems are not currently present within the Council.
Once Enforcement Agents for Council Tax and Business Rates, or External Collection Agents for Sundry Debts have exhausted their attempts to collect amounts due to the council, debts will be referred to identify propensity to pay and then progress to individually authorised legal stages where appropriate or identified as irrecoverable for the Council to proceed to write of the debt.

Decision

1. Approved the award of the contract for Debt Recovery & Management Systems to Muckle LLP of 32 Gallowgate, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, NE1 4BF for a duration of Two (2) years, with the option for Two (2), One (1) year extensions. For a total contract value of up to £400,000.