Overview
We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced individual to join our business rates team. Working as part of a dedicated team of six, you will help manage over 14,000 commercial properties and ensure the effective billing and collection of almost £100 million in annual business rate income. You will support the Business Rates Team Manager to ensure a high-quality, efficient service across billing, collection, recovery and enforcement. This includes assisting with processing valuation schedule updates from the Valuation Office Agency, escalating recovery action relating to unpaid business rates and providing updates and summaries on more complex cases. You will also engage directly with businesses, agents, and the public, offering expert advice on reliefs, exemptions, and valuation matters.
Responsibilities
* Support the Business Rates Team Manager to ensure a high-quality, efficient service across billing, collection, recovery and enforcement.
* Assist with processing valuation schedule updates from the Valuation Office Agency.
* Escalate recovery action relating to unpaid business rates and provide updates on more complex cases.
* Engage directly with businesses, agents, and the public, offering expert advice on reliefs, exemptions, and valuation matters.
* Supervise and mentor colleagues, fostering a collaborative, continuous improvement culture.
* Provide technical advice and act as a senior point of escalation for complex or contentious cases.
* Prepare evidence in response to challenges or disputes, drawing on relevant rating legislation and case law; may represent the Council at Magistrates\' Court.
* Work on specialist projects to assess the impact of new schemes or legislative changes, liaise with the Valuation Office Agency, lead relief reviews, and ensure policies and procedures remain current and effective.
* Contribute to service reviews, data reporting, and business planning; deputise for the Team Manager when required.
Qualifications
* In-depth knowledge of business rates legislation and ideally experience using Northgate or a similar revenues system.
* Professional qualification such as IRRV would be highly desirable.
* In-depth knowledge of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 and associated Statutory Instruments.
* In-depth knowledge of business rate and the main operational, procedural, and practical issues relating to the service.
* Experience of working with a Business Rate or Revenues Section within a local authority.
* Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
* Well-developed IT skills.
* Ability to work to deadlines.
* 4 GCSEs or equivalent, including Maths and English.
Benefits
* 26 days annual leave plus public/bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years of service (pro rata for part-time employees).
* Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme.
* Flexi scheme (if applicable) - up to 2 days flexible leave available per month (pro rata for part-time employees).
Northumberland County Council\'s (NCC) vision is 'Land of Great Opportunities', for current and future generations. We believe there is no better place to live and work.
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