Purpose of the post
•To ensure that the people of Gwynedd are central to everything we do.
•Lead and supervise the recovery process to ensure an effective and efficient recovery in accordance with the unit's objective/aim.
•Represent the Council in the courts.
Responsibility for functions
•Lead and advise the recovery team on all aspects of the work.
•Ensure the best use of other general recovery arrangements as appropriate.
Main duties
•To carry out the day-to-day work of the recovery service for all debts owed to the Council including council tax, non-domestic rates, business improvement districts, general debts and any other debts.
•Ensure implementation in accordance with the recovery policies and targets of the unit, service, department and Council.
•Run the court recovery programme from the termination of an individual/company's right to pay in instalments.
•Provide expert support to the assistants on complex issues.
•Ensure that court proceedings for a Liability Order application are provided in good time, by using resources (computers, software, stationery) to ensure that a complaint is made in accordance with the law.
•Deal with enquiries and objections by the public to the Council's request before the Court date.
•Attend the magistrates' court to discuss options with the taxpayers/debtors so that a way forward can be found without having to conduct the hearing.
•Take the case before the Magistrates, ensuring that the Council's reputation is protected.
•Arrange that proper records of Court proceedings are taken and that a record of the Orders is listed with the Clerk.
•Prepare and send Liability Order Notice letters and then sort the recovery work in accordance with the most appropriate recovery method: agreement, deductions from income support, salary deductions, etc.
•In cases where the debt cannot be recovered by 'agreement', arrange for an external agency (bailiff) to collect the debt, and ensure that this happens as soon as possible after the Court hearing. Co-ordinate the day-to-day work that is sent to the external agencies and deal with the paperwork when it is returned.
•Ensure compliance with the requirements of the Data Protection Act, the Freedom of Information Act and the Human Rights Act, and coordinate with the Legal Service as required.
•Consider and act on 'unusual' options of recovery such as charging orders, bankruptcy proceedings, etc.
•In conjunction with the Manager, maintain a code of practice on the work with external agencies and other services within the Council, e.g. CAB/bailiff companies/Shelter/housing service, monitoring and evaluating the work according to the code.
•Hold regular meetings and work closely with the external agencies.
•Create and retain a database of debtors who are bankrupt and keep a detailed record of any amounts to be included in the bankruptcy case.
•Prepare regular reports of irrecoverable accounts/debts for write-off and send them for appropriate approval.
•Contribute towards the formulation of a service plan in the field of recovery and ensure the development and implementation of the Service Improvement Plan as required.
•Reconcile payments received, ensuring they reach the correct accounts.
•Conduct credit investigations on behalf of the taxation service and the grants service in the Housing Department.
•Identify any weaknesses in the way the assistants deal with the recovery aspect and work collaboratively with others within the services to develop procedures and implementation guidelines to overcome these.
•Responsibility for self-development.
•Ensure compliance with Health and Safety rules in the workplace in accordance with the responsibilities noted in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Council’s Health and Safety Policy.
•Operate within the Council’s policies in relation to equal opportunities and equality.
•Responsibility for managing information in accordance with the Council’s information management standards and guidelines.  Ensure that personal information is handled in accordance with Data Protection legislation.
•Commitment to reducing the Council’s carbon emissions in accordance with the Carbon Management Plan, and to encourage others to act positively towards reducing the Council’s Carbon Footprint.
•Undertake any other reasonable duty which corresponds to the salary and responsibility level of the post.
•Responsible for reporting any concern or suspicion that a child or vulnerable adult is being abused.
Special circumstances
•The post-holder will be expected to complete a successful DBS check.
•Because of the need for specific systemic information at different key periods during the financial year, the post-holder will be expected to occasionally work unsociable hours.