Rate Collection Agency receives Charter Mark

Northern Ireland’s Rate Collection Agency has received the Charter Mark award in recognition of the service the Agency provides to the public.

The Charter Mark award, which is valid for three years, is a unique Government-backed scheme that is dedicated to improving standards of customer care across all public services and aims to recognise and encourage excellence.

The work of the Rate Collection Agency (RCA), an agency within the Department of Finance and Personnel, was praised by Minister Mark Durkan who said: “This announcement clearly reflects the professionalism and commitment of the agency staff who provide a quality service for their customers every day.

“All the RCA staff have clearly and consistently demonstrated that they are putting people first and offer the highest standards in all areas of their work. I am delighted to offer my fullest congratulations to them.”

Arthur Scott, Chief Executive of the Rate Collection Agency said: “When most people think of the Rate Collection Agency they think of the dreaded annual rate bill. What they sometimes miss is the work carried out by the Agency’s 240 staff to improve the service.”

He added: “Tangible evidence of this service improvement is a regular plus 90 per cent customer satisfaction rating. We also have an annual rate collection figure of around 98 per cent.”

The RCA is responsible for the collection of rates due to the 26 District Councils in respect of the District Rate and to the Department of Finance and Personnel in respect of the Regional Rate.

Money collected by the Agency is used to fund local councils as well as regional services provided by NI Departments. It also administers the Housing Benefit Scheme which provides assistance with the payment of rates. (AMcE)