Jacobs have recently been re-appointed for the Greater Manchester consortium in respect of Council Tax & Business Rates enforcement. This contract runs for 4 years with an option to extend every 2 years up to 10 years in total.

Dave Cornes (Partner) said "We are pleased to be re-appointed following this market testing tender exercise. We have worked for the GM consortium for 5 years already and are pleased that our past performance and tender submission has helped give us the opportunity to further develop our working relationship in the GM area."

The GM consortium members are the Council's of Bolton, Bury, Salford, Stockport, Warrington, St Helens, Oldham, Tameside and Manchester City.

A second major award is the appointment to undertake Road Traffic and Local Taxation enforcement for the London Borough of Enfield.

Simon Jacobs (Partner) said "This appointment cements our position in the North London area adding to our successful tender for Barnet Road Traffic last year."

This contract runs for 3 years with an option to extend a further 2.

Stockton on Tees Council undertakes a tender exercise for a sole supplier of local taxation bailiff services periodically.  The latest contract was awarded to Jacobs on 1^st May 2006 for 2 years duration with an option to extend a further 12 months.

We are pleased to announce that the Council has today informed Jacobs that they wish to take up the option of the 12-month extension and subsequently the contract will run until 30^th April 2009. An addendum to the contract is to be inserted whereby the requirement to provide a local cash office is no longer necessary.

Dave Cornes (Partner) said "We were first appointed to work for Stockton on Tees Council back in 2000 when a condition of the contract was that a local cash office had to be provided for debtors to pay in person by cash.  Since that time we have introduced several additional ways to pay notably Allpay swipe cards, on-line banking, debit and credit cards.

The Council recognise that the current demand for a cash office has reduced significantly and ALL administration of our business can be undertaken at head office on Merseyside.  They have, therefore, agreed that a local cash office is no longer an essential factor in servicing their work.

The Stockton cash office will therefore close on Friday 2^nd May 2008.  Any debtors still paying in person at the local office will be written to in mid April and supplied with an Allpay card.  The debtors will be advised of the fact that they can use the card to pay "at no additional cost" at local outlets in their area offering the Allpay facility.

We are stronger than ever in the North East area in terms of client base and market development.  We do not see the closure of the cash office as a hindrance to current or future service delivery.  Indeed a precedent to this scenario is the earlier decision to close our Hull office in 2004 - in that region we have remained strong in terms of our market share and business development.

In summary the decision to close the office has been made with the total agreement of the client and is due to the fact that there is little demand for this facility anymore as suitable alternatives are available. We aim to continue to working for Stockton on Tees and our other North East clients for many years to come and rely on our staff and bailiffs continued efforts to achieve this."

The period leading up to early April has seen a large influx of successful tender notifications for Jacobs.  A further success is the renewal - for the third time at tender - for Congleton Borough Council.

Dave Cornes (Partner) said "It is our primary aim to achieve long term client retention.  In Congleton's case we are pleased to being appointed most notably because we are the only retained supplier from this latest tender."

He added "We have worked for CBC for 6 years now and have built up an excellent working relationship during that time.  This current tender includes Sundry Debt collection which was previously dealt with in-house. We look forward to making a strong impact in that area of debt recovery for the Council."

During the first quarter of 2008 Jacobs have been working hard at expanding the sundry debt and overpaid housing benefit debt recovery aspect of the business.

The major success has seen the firm's appointment following a rigorous and in depth tender by LEEDS CITY COUNCIL.

Simon Jacobs (Partner) said "This appointment shows that we are a serious player in the debt recovery market.  Due to several technological advances over the last 12-18 months we are capable at offering a slick debt recovery process without affecting our core business streams of local taxation and road traffic warrant enforcement."

Other clients where debt recovery / benefit overpayment work has been obtained include Congleton, East Lindsey, Wrexham, Sheffield Homes and East Riding of Yorkshire.

Jacobs will be exhibiting at the Northern Counties Association Annual Seminar in 2008. 

The event which takes place at Durham County Cricket Club on Friday May 2nd is expected to attract delegates from the majority of Northern local authorities.

Paul Kelly (Business Development Manager) said "This is an ideal opportunity to meet both current and prospective clients.  We have a strong client base in the North East and we aim to add to this during the coming months and years."

He added "We are pleased to support the Association and hope that the event is, once again, a major success."

Jacobs have been notified that Waveney DC have appointed our firm to enforce local taxation debts from April 2008.

Dave Cornes said "We are pleased to be chosen following a tender process to serve what will be our first Suffolk client.  We have proven in the past - for example 3 Councils in the Cornwall Partnership - that we are capable of servicing clients well even though they are geographically a fair distance from our head office on Merseyside.  We look forward to working with the Council and establishing strong links in that part of the country."

Jacobs latest newsletter is devoted to the recent "Client Perception Survey"

Paul Kelly (Business Development Manager) said "The timing of the newsletter is good as it gives a summary of how well respected our firm is just prior to the IRRV Benefits Conference for 2008."

"Jacobs will be represented at Conference as we promote our expanding Housing Benefit Overpayment Debt Recovery service for clients both old and new."

He added "We would like the opportunity to discuss the requirements of prospective clients and look forward to meeting with delegates at Conference (Stand 4)."

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Jacobs today released the full version of the recently undertaken "Client Perception Survey Report."

Simon Jacobs - Partner said "Although we get feedback through regular client performance review meetings it is important to undergo more detailed analysis every 2 years.  From the survey it is clear that our Business Development Strategy is well thought through and this is demonstrated in the excellent results reported."

"As part of our commitment to being open and transparent we have answered all comments honestly and we feel the organisation has further improved our service delivery as a consequence to the survey."

He concluded "The most pleasing aspect of the survey is that we have maintained a very high score in all aspects of the survey despite increasing our client base by more than double since the first survey was undertaken in 2002."

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In the last 4 weeks Jacobs received news that we have been successful in our tender bids to work as Bailiffs for Warrington Road Traffic and as Debt Recovery Agents for Sheffield Homes.

Dave Cornes (Partner) said "These successes further show our ability to enforce due monies across several debt types. We have had an excellent 2007 in respect of client retention and new business growth and we look forward to continued successes in 2008 and beyond."

He added "Also the responses to our recent client survey are currently being analysed and the final report / findings will be published on the Website in January 2008." 

Jacobs celebrate 100 clients for local taxation and road traffic enforcement with the news that the Essex consortium of Colchester, Braintree and Maldon Councils.

The appointment means that Jacobs client base in the South East / London areas is enhanced and confirms our commitment to future sensible expansion throughout the whole of England and Wales.

Following an extensive selection process Halton Borough Council have asked Jacobs to undertake local taxation liability order enforcement with immediate effect.

Dave Cornes - Partner - said "We are pleased to expand our local client base with this appointment.  I know that Halton placed great emphasis on their knowledge of the market place and also Jacobs current performance for our other Merseyside clients in making their decision."

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Calderdale have appointed Jacobs as one of 3 firms to enforce warrants for unpaid Penalty Charge Notices obtained in the Halifax region.

This extends our working relationship with Calderdale Council as we already undertake some Council Tax and NDR liability order collection for the Council.

The appointment follows a tender process. Calderdale Council went decriminalised in November 2006.

In the last week two more local authorities have appointed Jacobs to work on their behalf in the collection of unpaid debts.

St Helens Council on Merseyside moved swiftly in appointing Jacobs following an interview and site visit to our head office. We will undertake Council Tax and NDR liability order enforcement for half of the Borough.

Penwith District Council in Cornwall have agreed to pass to us their debt recovery cases.  This takes our client base in Cornwall to 4 out of the 6 Councils in that region.

Jacobs have been notified by Knowsley Council that we have been successful in their recent tender exercise.

Dave Cornes commented "We are pleased that our performance over the last few years has been rewarded with the contract being renewed.  It is particularly pleasing as the Council has decided to reduce the number of firms it uses to just 2 and has brought in a new firm as the second supplier."

The London Borough of Barnet have appointed Jacobs to enforce warrants for unpaid Road Traffic offences for the next 4 years.

Simon Jacobs (Partner) commented "We are delighted to win through this rigorous tendering exercise and to further enhance our presence in the London area."

Barnet brings Jacobs Road Traffic clients in London to 3 in addition to the Boroughs of Islington and Lambeth.

Jacobs recently held our 2nd annual Partners Presentation and Staff Awards at a local hotel on Merseyside.

To coincide with the event our bailiffs received additional training sessions over 2 days.

On the first afternoon we handed out new mobile telephones and "Digital" Pens for all bailiffs.  Over the coming weeks the transition from traditional forms to "instant update on clientweb" will be completed.

On the second moring the bailiffs were split into 2 categories and a workshop session held for both 1st Call and Enforcement Bailiffs.  The workshops were facilitated by the Partners and designed to share good practice and working techniques amongst colleagues.

The training was completed with 4 sessions covering the following -

Bailiff Law Reform - Current Developments was presented by Paul Kelly our Business Development Manager.

Bankruptcy and Process Serving Techniques was presented by Sharon Williamson (Partner - DWF Solicitors) and John Lee (Horsfields Insolvency Practitioners)

Health & Safety Issues for our Bailiffs was presented by Kiri Gibney our HR Manager.

The final session was presented by Frank Lamb (Revenues Manager - Liverppol Council / BT Direct) and covered "What Local Authorities expect from their bailiffs".

In the afternoon a meal for 150+ staff was preceeded by the Partners Presentation giving an overview of Performance in 2006/7 and Business Development plans for the future.

Awards were presented after the meal for -

Team of the Year, Employee of the Year, Best 1st Call Bailiff, Best Enforcemment Bailiff, Rising Star and Manager of the Year.  Winners received £500 tokens to be used on "Red Letter" days.

During the evening the spouses and partners of our staff joined proceedings and enjoyed a Disco and BBQ.

Dave Cornes (Partner) said "The 2 day event was a huge success with Bailiffs receiving important training from other organisations as well as sharing working practices in the workshops.  It is pleasing to be able to reward hard working and committed staff for excellent achievements throughout the year."

Jacobs have received notification today from Wolverhampton City Council that we are one of 2 firms appointed to enforce RTA warrants from 1st July 2007. 

The contract is for a 2 year period initially and takes Jacobs total local authority client base to 96.

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After a formal tender evaluation process Jacobs have been appointed as sole supplier for Bailiff & Debt Recovery Services to the 3 West Durham District Councils - Chester-le-Street, Derwentside DC and Wear Valley DC.  The contract will run for 3 years with an option to extend for a further two years.

Jacobs were already acting on behalf of Derwentside and Wear Valley and are pleased to be re-appointed.  Jacobs welcome Chester-le-Street as a new client. 

We have today received notification that the London Borough of Hackney has re-appointed Jacobs to enforce local taxation liability orders for a further 3 years.

We commenced working for Hackney in 2004 and are delighted to be re-appointed.  The appointment confirms our commitment to providing quality bailiff services in London.

We currently also work for the London Boroughs of Islington and Waltham Forest and have the capacity to undertake further work in the capital. 

Jacobs have been appointed as sole local taxation bailiff services provider for the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull.  The contract is for 3 years and is effective from 1st May 2007.

We have also been appointed as one of three firms to work for HBS/Milton Keynes (local taxation) with effect from 1st April 2007.

Both awards dovetail perfectly into our 5 year Business Development plan. 

Following a 3 day detailed inspection from the British Standards Institution(BSI) auditors, Jacobs are to be issued a Certificate of Registration for both our Health & Safety (OHSAS 18001) and Environmental (ISO 14001) systems.

In the Auditor's report it is stated...

"The senior management within the company are actively involved in the EMS&OHS management systems and are acknowledged by staff to be openly committed & champions of the systems - a good open door policy is acknowledged by both office and remote staff & overall culture to the management systems is perceived as very high throughout the business."

"Staff interviews both in the office and in the field showed an excellent understanding of the processes and objectives as well as demonstrating a truly excellent overall culture."

The firm obtained the Quality System ISO 9001 10 years ago and have not had any "non conformances" reported following annual external audiits undertaken.

Jacobs are delighted to have received confirmation that we have been re-appointed to provide bailiff / debt recovery services for both Flintshire County Council and Salford City Council.

Flintshire appointed Jacobs back in 1999 and following a rigorous tendering process are to continue our partnership working for 4 years with effect from 1/4/2007.  The extent of the contract covers enforcement of Council Tax, Non Domestic Rates, Sundry Debts and Housing Benefit Overpayments.

Salford Road Traffic first appointed Jacobs back in March 2003 and our agreement has now been extended a further 12 months until 2008.

Jacobs are pleased to support the Northern Counties Annual Seminar due to be held at Durham County Cricket Club on Friday 23rd March 2007.

Jacobs will be exhibiting at the Seminar and will be represented by our Business Development Manager, Paul Kelly.

Paul will be pleased to speak to delegates to explain our proposed continuous business development plans for the North East.

Paul is pictured with the Senior Vice President of the IRRV, Bob Trahern, at the recent IRRV Benefits Conference at which we promoted our pro-active debt recovery service for unpaid Housing Benefit Overpayments.

Jacobs continue their ongoing investment in IT with the introduction of a new ClientWeb server.  This server has been replaced with a new faster machine ready to display the images from the digital pens and to handle the online card payments. 

For the first time Jacobs will be in attendance at 4 Conferences in 2007 starting with the Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation (IRRV) Benefits Conference in Harrogate from 6th - 8th February.  Jacobs can be found at Stand 46.

David Cornes (Partner) said "We now have the infrastructure to offer clients a seperately managed service dealing with Debt Recovery of Housing Benefit Overpayments and other Sundry Debts.  Paul Kelly and I will be in Harrogate to promote this new initiative and on hand to answer queries.  We have a strong process module to make this a success and offer the service at highly competitive rates."

OTHER CONFERENCES

17TH-19TH APRIL - STAND P81 - PARKEX/TRAFFEX NEC BIRMINGHAM

15TH-16TH MAY 2007 - STAND 2 - IRRV COLLECTION & ENFORCEMENT CONFERENCE - KENILWORTH

9TH-12TH OCTOBER 2007 - STAND 16 - IRRV NATIONAL CONFERENCE - BRIGHTON

Jacobs have been appointed as local taxation bailiffs for Nottingham City Council.  We will be allocated a third of the liabilty orders that are passed out to Private Bailiffs for enforcement.

We already know the area well as we currently enforce warrants for unpaid Penalty Charge Notices in the City.

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Jacobs Certificated Bailiffs recently welcomed over 80 client delegates to its inaugural "Open Day" held at their modern head offices premises on Merseyside. 

Dave Cornes (Partner) explained "The main purpose of the sessions was to launch our "seemless" Bankruptcy Service which is available to our local authority clients.   Working in Partnership with the establish firms of DWF Solicitors and Horsfields Insolvency Practitioners we are able to coerce payment from the traditionally more difficult cases where distress has been ineffective."

"The response from clients has been very positive with several willing to progress this initiative during 2007.  One main advantage is that costs to the client are kept to a minimal and only payable after the petition is actually issued.   This gives the client financial certainty and also assurances in respect of budgetary purposes."

Clients were also given a tour of Jacobs Head Office and shown evidence of less than 2% abandonment rate during 2006 of its call centre operation.  Each session was completed with an explanation of the bailiff methodology used in maximising payments along with a demonstration of the "Digital Pens" used by bailiffs - the pens ensure immediate update of visits / action taken and costs raised via the Client Web on line facility.

Cornes concluded "Due to the huge success of the day we will be looking to do more Open Days for both Road Traffic and Local Taxation clients during 2007/2008."

Our latest company newsletter is attached.

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