The London Borough of Bexley has been awarded a Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) score of four for its benefits services. This is the highest possible rating and was achieved in partnership with Capita, by delivering continuous service improvements. The partnership was formed in 1996 and involves Capita administering the Council’s Revenues and Benefits. This includes the payment of housing and council tax benefits, collection of council tax payable and managing the administration of business rates.

The Audit Commission’s CPA reports on how well a council is performing compared to other local authorities in the country. The assessment criteria includes measuring how long it takes for benefits payments to be made and the length of time it takes for an appeal to go through . Capita and Bexley have put measures in place to ensure these standards remain high, especially during difficult financial times, for example the allocation of additional resources for the benefits services to cope with the influx of claims. 

Mike Ellsmore, director of finance, London Borough of Bexley, commented: “We are very pleased that the strong partnership between Capita and the Council has resulted in the continued service improvements which have enabled us to achieve the highest possible CPA rating.”

Mark Chapman, director, Capita Local Government Services: “We are delighted that the efforts of Capita’s close working relationship with the Borough has been rewarded with this achievement”

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For more information contact the Capita press office:

Antoinette Huka 020 7654 2332 / 020 7654 2399 out of hours

Capita Local Government Services, part of the Capita Group Plc, specialises in providing support, advice and resources to local authorities throughout the United Kingdom.  Capita Local Government Services offers an extensive range of services including council tax administration and collection; housing benefit and revenues resources; ICT and software services; contact centre solutions; financial and treasury services and national non-domestic rates administration.

The Capita Group Plc is the UK’s leading provider of BPO and integrated professional support service solutions.  With 36,000 people at more than 300 sites, including 62 business centres across the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands and India, the Group uses its expertise, infrastructure and scale benefits to transform its client’s services, driving down costs and adding value. Capita is quoted on the London Stock Exchange (CPI.L), and is a constituent of the FTSE100 with revenues for 2008 of £2,441 million.

Further information on The Capita Group Plc can be found at: http://www.capita.co.uk