Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

WC is to reform the revenue and benefit system to save money.

A plan to reform Wiltshire Council's revenue and benefits system and create one database for the whole county is being explored. The WC Cabinet will be asked to support proposals to buy a new revenues and benefits system to improve performance and save money.

The Wiltshire Council revenues and benefits service carries out the administration for the collection of council tax and business rates and pays housing and council tax benefit. This service was previously provided by the former district councils.

Each former district had its own system and they each used a variety of software. Following the creation of Wiltshire Council, it is now possible to introduce a single system which would help to standardise processes and create savings in administration and maintenance costs. It would also create the ninth largest 'Big Brother' council tax database in England holding more than 200,000 property records.