IAN CLARKE A government minister will tomorrow be in Thetford to see an innovative partnership which is set to make £1m savings for council tax payers.The Anglia Revenues Partnership was set up to improve performance and customer care and improve efficiency and initially involved Breckland and Forest Heath councils.

IAN CLARKE

A government minister will tomorrow be in Thetford to see an innovative partnership which is set to make £1m savings for council tax payers.

The Anglia Revenues Partnership was set up to improve performance and customer care and improve efficiency and initially involved Breckland and Forest Heath councils.

East Cambridgeshire council has now joined up and the partnership is one of the top two performers in the country and has gained Beacon status and been short-listed for the Local Government Chronicle award for innovation.

Benefit claims are dealt with in 14 days, compared with the regional average of 43 days and there have been big improvements in collection of council tax and business rates.

Communities and local government minister Phil Woolas is visiting the ARP tomorrow and will tour the building and meet staff.

Breckland Council leader William Nunn said: “I am pleased that the Anglia Revenues Partnership is being recognised through the visit of the minister.

“We have proved that joint working can make a real difference in our service to the public. Customers are now served much more quickly and we have made huge savings which help us keep our council tax down to the lowest in the country.”

Breckland deputy leader Bill Smith the three partners would be saving £1m a year by working together on IT, accommodation and staff.