Rossendale Borough Council today announced that it has selected Capita Local Government Services as its partner to deliver a range of customer contact services and to administer the Council’s revenues and benefits services. The new contract is worth £12.6m over ten years.

Capita will work closely with Rossendale to deliver high quality, best value services with a strong emphasis on improved customer service. Capita will process benefit claims and will work to improve the amount of Council Tax revenue collected for the council.

The partnership will also see staff working for Capita, providing increased home visits for people with mobility problems. Visiting officers will be supplied with mobile computers, enabling them to view customers’ details in their homes. Capita was selected by Rossendale Council following a competitive tendering process.

Rossendale Council Leader, Duncan Ruddick, said, “We are delighted to be entering into a partnership with Capita which will allow the Council to continue to modernise and improve its key services.”

Helen Lockwood, Head of Customer Service and E-Government for Rossendale Borough Council, added, “Capita’s bid represented the best value for money for the Council and promised the delivery of quality services for people in Rossendale. This partnership places Rossendale at the forefront in meeting the Government’s ‘Gershon efficiency targets.”

Mark Chapman, Director of Capita Local Government Services, said, “We are looking forward to working with Rossendale Council on this innovatory leading edge partnership which includes both front and back office functions of the Council. Capita has vast experience in delivering a range of revenue and benefits services for over 35 local authority clients across the UK. We are confident that we can deliver quality services to Rossendale Council along with sustained service improvements for its citizens.”