Civica helps Richmond upon Thames target improved business rates collection using new Authority platform

Integrated advice, software and services platform supports business rates collection for London Borough

7 December 2004, London … Civica plc, one of the UK’s most experienced providers of consulting, software and services for the public sector, has beaten off strong competition to provide business rates systems for the London Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames for the next eight years.

Implementing Civica’s latest “Authority” Revenues software, which is backed by the company’s expert Authority Solutions consultancy, the fast track programme will enable the Council to collect efficiently £55 million of business rates annually from January 2005.

Richmond upon Thames has over 5000 business properties on both sides of the Thames. The Council required an enhanced rates collection system to take account of new legislative requirements as well as revalued business rates for 2005. The implementation of the new system is due for completion at the end of this year.

Civica was selected because of the comprehensive nature of its software and services solution, and its willingness to commit to demanding project timescales. The company’s business rates suite, which scored the highest level of satisfaction in the 2004 Application Software Index published by the Society of IT Managers (SOCITM), provides an integrated business solution, from collection and correspondence to practical online services such as e-billing, helping local authorities to deliver better services, cut administration costs and comply with current or future legislative requirements.

Mike Gravatt, Assistant Director of Finance at Richmond-upon-Thames Council, said, “We were impressed with Civica’s track record in revenues and rates systems. Their recent development work with us has impressed our internal team and their willingness to specify exact project deadlines to help to meet our desired outcomes was also an important factor in our decision.”

Civica has a 15-year track record in delivering revenues and benefits solutions to local authorities. Adopting Microsoft’s .NET platform, the Authority Revenues and Benefits suite provides the integrated software needed for effective service management with an enhanced ability to integrate front office and mobile systems with core applications and back office databases.

Paul Tonks, managing director of Civica Systems, explained, “We are committed to supporting Richmond-upon-Thames in the efficient administration of business rates. Managing revenues is a critical, high profile task. As well as the need to meet performance targets, councils are facing growing expectations and associated workloads. Our Authority Revenues and Benefits suite is designed to help local officers achieve desired financial outcomes whilst delivering responsive, high quality services that make it easier and quicker for customers to deal with their local authority.”

About Civica plc
The Civica group (www.civica.co.uk), which includes Radius, is one of the UK’s most experienced providers of consulting, software systems and managed services to the public sector. The company has a 20-year history of supplying local government, police, healthcare, criminal justice and education organisations in the UK, Australia and the USA. UK customers include approximately 75 per cent of local authorities, 47 of the 53 police forces, more than 250 NHS Trusts and over 30 Local Education Authorities, while in Australia the group is one of the leading local government software suppliers. Civica Services Ltd is an approved prime contractor for software in the GCat government procurement catalogue. Overall the company employs approximately 550 people and has a recent track record of profits growth.

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