Bridgend’s ‘Tell Us Once’ launched
October 18, 2011 No Comments
A new service has been launched this week by Bridgend County Borough Council that will make it easier for residents to report changes in their family circumstances following a birth or bereavement without having to contact different local authority and central government departments.
‘Tell Us Once’ works by giving people the option of updating several departments and organisations all at the same time through a single point of contact.
The information is then shared in a secure, co-ordinated manner so that multiple records can be updated, removing the need for people to make several phone calls or visits to different offices and locations.
The service is being introduced in stages starting this week and will initially be offered to residents who visit Bridgend Register Office to report the death of a relative or the birth of a new baby.
If a member of the public decides to take advantage of ‘Tell Us Once’, the information they provide will be passed on to council departments including Council Tax, Housing Benefit, Electoral Services, the Bridgend Library and Information Service, Adult Social Services, Family Information Service and the ‘Blue Badge’ scheme.
At the same time, the information will be shared with organisations and services that include the Department for Work and Pensions, Jobcentre Plus, HM Revenue and Customs, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, Identity and Passport Office, Child Benefit, the Pensions, Disability and Carers Service, and child or working tax credits.
To make use of ‘Tell Us Once’, people can drop in to Bridgend Register Office at Ty’r Ardd in Sunnyside, but it is important to note specific documentation will need to be brought in. Ideally this will include national insurance numbers, details of any relevant benefits (if known), driving licences, passports and personal details including information about next-of-kin family members.
Cllr Mel Nott, Leader of Bridgend County Borough Council (pictured), said: “The ‘Tell Us Once’ project is going to make it a lot easier for people to contact the local council or a Government department in future. It will be especially useful for people who are grieving the loss of a relative, and will help reduce the chance of an inappropriate letter being sent out by a service that may not be aware of the change in their circumstances.
“The intention is to develop and roll ‘Tell Us Once’ out over a period of time to cover many other services. Once it is fully operational, it will mean that people will only have to inform both local and central Government about changes in their circumstances a single time.”
Cllr Huw David, Cabinet Member for Resources, added: “The ‘Tell Us Once’ initiative will deliver many benefits. These include improved customer service, greater efficiency and relevance of information held by organisations such as the council, fewer opportunities to commit fraud and faster back-office administrative processes. It will also have financial benefits as it will help reduce overpayments in benefit and the subsequent cost of recovering that money.”
The new Bridgend Registry Office and new Local and Family History Research Centre opened their doors at Ty’r Ardd for the first time this year as a result of an investment in a full refurbishment of the building by the Labour Council.
For more information about the new service please contact Bridgend Register Office on 01656 642391 or email registrar@bridgend.gov.uk
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