HCC - 03/26 - Provision of 2026 Council Tax Reviews Framework

Description

The Framework is let by HCC so the Billing Authorities in Hertfordshire, which are the District and Borough Councils can engage the Provider(s) to review the discounts and exemptions within their Council Tax records. The Billing Authorities are: • North Herts District Council • Three Rivers District Council • Broxbourne Borough Council • East Herts District Council • St. Albans City and District Council • Hertsmere Borough Council • Stevenage Borough Council • Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council • Dacorum Borough Council • Watford Borough Council The Framework will consist of three Lots as per the below table. The Council would expect that the Tenderers would be able to supply one, two or all of these types of review. For the single person discount, if residents are found to be incorrectly claiming a discount on council tax by stating that they are a single person and should receive the 25% discount when they should not, then this discount should be removed. For the known and unknown empty property review this should concentrate on the review of premium exemptions in the Council Tax scheme, this could apply to long-term empty properties and second homes. Local Authorities can charge a Council Tax premium on empty properties and second homes in their areas. These are properties that are furnished but not used as anyone’s primary residence. If owners are found to be living or letting a second home, which they have formerly said is 'empty and unfurnished' or ‘uninhabitable’, then any discount may be removed, and a premium charge may be applied. For the other reviews concerned with exemptions and discounts we are looking for providers to use innovative solutions to review the other exemptions and discounts in the scheme. For example, this could be around student exemptions. Residents can re-apply for any discount or exemption post review, and the District Council will require monitoring of all re-applications. Lot number Lot Title Lot 1 Single Person Discount Review Lot 2 Review of known and unknown empty properties Lot 3 Other Reviews concerned with exemptions and discounts Please refer to the tender documents for full details. This procurement is an open process. Organisations wishing to take part in this project are invited to ‘express an interest’ and also ‘opt in’ which will give access to the full procurement documents in the e-tendering system. To be considered as a Tenderer you must complete and submit a Tender by the deadline of 12 noon on the 8th July 2026 Please allow sufficient time to make your return, as Tender submissions cannot be uploaded and submitted after this return deadline. Please ensure that where possible documents are uploaded as a PDF and that file names are succinct. Any questions relating to this procurement must be made via correspondence on the website, in accordance with the procurement documents, and can be addressed to the main contact as shown in the details above. Tenderers should be aware that due to the nature of the Services provided, any Contract formed as a result of this procurement process shall be executed as a deed. Tenderers should seek independent legal advice on the implications of this prior to submitting their Tender, where appropriate. Please note that the contract requirements will be subject to available financial resources, supplier performance and flexibility to meet changing demands. To access this opportunity please visit https://in-tendhost.co.uk/supplyhertfordshire/aspx/Home