Council Seeks To Rationalise Revenue Collector Staff

The Council executive has proposed a series of measures aimed at making its revenue service more efficient, without incurring job losses among the existing 16 revenue collectors. The proposals are being implemented under a national framework agreement endorsed by the Labour Court in 2006, which would yield major efficiencies across the county according to the Council.

Revenue Collectors collect Local Authority income, such as housing rents, business rates and commercial water rates. Clare County Council confirmed today that sixteen Revenue Collection staff, represented by IMPACT Union, have refused to accept a proposal which would move their duties from a home based system to a modern, efficient office-based system.

According to Mr Leonard Cleary, Human Resources Officer, Clare County Council: "Clare County Council has been engaged in discussions with its Revenue Collectors for the last three years in its agenda to modernise their work process. The same modernisation agenda, which Clare is implementing, has already been agreed and implemented across 23 local authorities leaving IMPACT in Clare lagging behind its counterparts in terms of updating its systems."

He added: "The Council and IMPACT Trade Union engaged in extensive discussions both at local level and with the Labour Relations Commission in attempts to reach agreement. However, the Revenue Collectors have rejected proposals, put forward in September 2009. Following Clare County Council’s stated intention to implement the office based system with effect from 30th November 2009, IMPACT has threatened the Council with industrial action."

"Clare County Council is determined to introduce efficiencies within the organisation. In the event that industrial relations action is taken, the Council will take the necessary steps to minimise disruption to its customers", concluded Mr. Cleary.

-ENDS-

Note To Editor:
- Mr Leonard Cleary, Human Resources Officer, Clare County Council, is available for comment on 087-2304937