New computer system being installed in the Revenues & Benefits Dept of RMBC

Date published: 11 July 2006

A new and more efficient computer system is being installed in the Revenues amp; Benefits Department of Rochdale Council. The new system – which is called Pericles – should be quicker and easier, and make the processing of claims and payments even more efficient.

It is also intended to enable people with internet access to find out more information about their accounts than was previously possible. For example, Council Tax payers will be able to see all the details of their accounts in a similar way to using an online bank account.

However, people making enquiries about their benefits, Council Tax and business rates accounts over the next few weeks may not get the detailed answers they expect as during the six weeks it will take to install the system, detailed information about accounts will be more difficult to provide.

Simon Bailey, Head of Revenues amp; Benefits, explained: "We will continue to make benefit payments and collect Council Tax and business rates, so money will be coming in and going out much as usual.

"Our staff will also be combining working hard getting benefit claims ready for processing at the same time as training to use the new computer system.

"We ask those who need to make enquiries about their benefits or their Council Tax or business rates to be patient with us during the change-over.

"Even though we will not have easy access to detailed information and we will not be able to input things like changes of circumstances or addresses, we will be able to give general advice and keep the essentials of our service going.

"People should continue to tell us about changes as usual so that they can be put into effect as soon as the new computer system is ready to use."