Job Description

Job info	Job info details
Job title	Council Tax Team Leader
Strategic team/Directorate	Finance
Service	Corporate Debt and Tax Collection
Business unit	Revenue Section
Responsible to (day to day issues)	Revenue Manager
Accountable to (line manager)	Revenue Manager
Salary grade	H
JE ref	FIN77

1. Key purpose of job

To work within government regulations covering Council Tax, Business Rates and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and to adhere to Torbay Council policies including Working Age Council Tax Reduction.
To lead a team of processing staff who are responsible for updating the database of Council Tax payers who reside in 68,000 properties banded for Council Tax across Torbay.
To be responsible for providing technical advice to enable the processing team to carry out their duties effectively.
To provide support to the Senior Revenue Officer to enable them to carry out their work duties.
To provide support to the Revenue Manager and Finance Manager in connection with project implementation and staff performance management.
To challenge current working practice and explore innovative ways of improving the way Council Tax records are processed.
To provide professional and efficient support, advice, and guidance daily to the front-line Customer Services section, Corporate Debt, Corporate Fraud, Benefits, Environmental Health, and Planning, within Torbay Council to allow all departments to carry out their duties effectively.
To provide professional and efficient support, advice, and guidance daily, by providing additional advice and support to HMRC Valuation Office Agency, and other local authorities to allow these organisations to carry out their duties effectively.
To assist the Revenue Manager when deputising in the absence of the Business Rate and Valuation Team Leader.
The ensure the council’s Health and Safety policy for home workers is followed.

3. List key duties and accountabilities of the post

To effectively manage the Council Tax processing team including work on Working Age Council Tax Reduction taking into account work priorities and staff welfare.
To set performance targets for Council Tax processing, by continuously monitoring incoming work and implementing a plan to prioritise work. Efficient billing helps the council reach its income collection target allowing residents to budget effectively and contribute to their financial planning.
Monitoring Council Tax Support payments are correctly applied to bills, therefore providing assurance that regulatory requirements have been met.
To be responsible for the delivery of staff training to ensure the appropriate level knowledge is available for work to be carried out effectively.
To assist in the reduction of income lost to the council through fraud.
To be part of the project implementation team for Civica Open Portal, Civica Open Channel, and the Customer Relationship Management System. Improvements will help customers gain easier access to Council Tax,Working Age Council Tax Reduction, Business Rate services, leading to more effective working practices and helping the council achieve its income collection target.
Ensure staff across the Revenue Section have the required equipment to enable them to work at home safely and effectively under Health and Safety regulations.

4. Budgetary/Financial Responsibilities of the post

Raising and authorising orders for goods and services to the value of £10,000.
Authorisation compensation payments up to £10,000.
The use of various financial systems to raise orders and invoices.
Authorisation of all Council Tax credit write offs for audit purposes.

5. Supervision/Line Management Responsibilities of the post

One Senior Revenue Officer. Responsible for allocating work across the processing team and through the provision of advice involving complex Council Tax cases.
Ten Revenue Officers. Responsible for the daily processing of accounts, resulting in bills for the 68,000 Council taxpayers across Torbay.

6. Working environment and conditions of the post

Normal working environment and conditions either in the office or at home.

7. Physical demands of the post

Normal physical conditions associated with office work.

8. Specific resources used by the post

None.

9. Key contacts and relationships

External

Customers of the service including general public, letting agents, property owners, supported accommodation providers, other accommodation providers, Members, Social Services, Probation, other local authorities, NHS Care Trust, Age concern, Brixham Does Care, Pension Disability Service, Her Majesty Revenues and Customs Valuation Office Agency, Ombudsman, Valuation Tribunal, any other voluntary and statutory agencies Immigration Service, Police Fire Service, Citizens Advice.

Internal

All Areas within Benefits, Customer Services, Housing Options, Housing Standards, Planning, Building Control, Environmental health, Auditors, Counter Fraud, and other council departments as required, Councillors and Members of Parliament.

10. Other duties

To undertake additional duties as required, commensurate with the level of the job.

Other Information

All staff must commit to Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discriminatory Practice.
The Council operates a Smoke-Free Policy, and the post-holder is prohibited from smoking in any of the Council's buildings (including Council owned and Council leased buildings, but excluding designated areas in residential schemes), enclosed spaces within the curtilage of buildings, and Council vehicles. The Council does not permit smoking breaks within work time, however, in services where the flexi-scheme is in operation, employees may take reasonable break times outside of core hours, in accordance with flexi-time arrangements. Employees should follow the flexi-scheme procedure for agreeing time away from their duties in the normal manner with their immediate colleagues and line manager, with break start and finish times being recorded, as with any other break-time arrangement.
The post-holder is expected to familiarise themselves with and adhere to all relevant Council Policies and Procedures.
The post-holder must comply with the Council’s Health and Safety requirements as outlined in the H&S policy appropriate to the role.
The post is eligible for both hybrid and permanent home working.
The post-holder must be committed to the Council’s Core Values for employees – “Torbay Council employees are committed to being forward thinking, people orientated and adaptable - always with integrity.” Evidence will be sought during the probation and appraisal processes.
You will be asked to complete a Criminal Records Self Declaration Form. Criminal convictions will only be taken into account when they are relevant to the post. You will only be asked to disclose ‘unspent’ convictions.
Torbay Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo the checks appropriate to the post applied for.
As this post meets the requirements of the Immigration Act 2017 (part 7) the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

Person Specification

Note for Candidate

All Candidates

The supporting statement on your application form will be used to assess ability to meet the essential requirements of the role, so you should explain how you meet each of the numbered essential requirements within your supporting statement. In a competitive situation, the desirable criteria may be taken into consideration, so you are encouraged to show how you also meet each of the desirable criteria.

Candidates who consider that they have a disability

Reasonable adjustments will be made to the job, job requirements or recruitment process for candidates with a disability.

If you consider yourself to have a disability you should indicate this on your application form, providing any information you would like us to take into account with regard to your disability in order to offer a fair selection interview.

Where ever possible and reasonable we will make adjustments and offer alternatives to help you through the application and selection process.

If you have indicated that you have a disability on your application form you will be guaranteed an interview if you clearly demonstrate in your supporting evidence how you broadly meet the essential requirements of the role.

Job info	Job info details
Job Title	Council Tax Team Leader
Strategic team/Directorate	Finance
Service	Corporate Debt and Tax Collection
Business unit	Revenue Section

Skills and effectiveness

Essential skills and effectiveness

Confident and flexible communication and interpersonal skills to effectively line manage.
The ability to establish, maintain and develop effective working relationships with all Torbay Council customers, including service users, delivery partners, council members and colleagues.
To be able to work on own initiative and use own discretion and judgement.
Effective verbal and communication skills, translating complex decisions often to vulnerable, potentially violent, upset, or bereaved people.
To be numerate and literate and have effective working knowledge of Microsoft Teams/ Office and other computer packages as appropriate.
To be an excellent team player.
The ability to accurately update relevant databases and document imaging/workflow systems by accurate entry of data whilst achieving accuracy and output targets as defined by the business unit.
To ensure all necessary actions are taken to deliver service priorities and maintain customer satisfaction levels.
The ability to manage regular change effectively.
The ability to work quickly and accurately to meet conflicting deadlines either as part of a team or as an individual.
The ability to make effective decisions.
To be willing to learn and develop new skills.
The ability to remain polite and courteous in demanding situations often while assisting difficult customers.
As this post meets the requirements of the Immigration Act 2016 (part 7), the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

Desirable skills and effectiveness

N/A

Knowledge

Essential knowledge

Extensive knowledge and understanding of Council Tax and Business Rates.
Extensive knowledge and understanding to identify conclusions to disputes.
Effective working knowledge of reporting and IT skills.
Knowledge of the principles behind the General Data Protection Regulations and able to take appropriate action if breaches are identified.

Desirable knowledge

Working knowledge of Council Tax and Business Rate and Debt collection procedures.
Detailed knowledge of Council Tax, Business Rates and Business Improvement District Legislation.
Preparation and presentation of financial statements.
Magistrates Court and Valuation Tribunal process.

Experience and achievements

Essential experience and achievements

Experience of managing a team.
Experience of working independently.
Experience of decision making.
Experience of investigating and interviewing people in a respectful manner.
Experience of working in a customer service environment.
Experience of working in a multi discipline role.
Experience of using Microsoft Teams/Office (or similar online application).
Experience of quality checking.
Experience of working with Service Level agreements and customer complaints.

Desirable experience and achievements

Working with other teams.
Experience of working in a Finance Role.
Experience of working in an administrative team environment.

Qualifications/professional memberships

Essential qualifications/professional memberships

Educated to A Level standard or equivalent demonstrable work-related knowledge in appropriate areas.

Desirable qualifications/professional memberships

IRRV technician.
ECDL in IT or equivalent.

Other requirements

Other requirements of the job role

Demonstrate a commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
Ability to travel efficiently around the Bay/Southwest/UK to carry out duties.
Ability to accommodate hybrid working.