Apprentice Revenue Officer
Halton Borough Council
Widnes (WA8 7DZ)
Closes in 13 days (Sunday 2 November 2025)
Posted on 16 October 2025
Contents
Summary
We have an exciting opportunity for two motivated and enthusiastic individuals to join our Council Tax team. If you are looking for an opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of the residents of Halton and develop a rewarding career, we would love to hear from you!
- Wage
-
£21,448.50 a year
- Training course
- Revenues and welfare benefits practitioner (level 4)
- Hours
-
Monday - Thursday, 9.00am until 5:00pm.
Friday, 9.00am until 4:40pm.
37 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 8 December 2025
- Duration
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1 year 9 months
- Positions available
-
2
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
Successful candidates will deal with all aspects of Council Tax, working in accordance with statutory regulations and/or discretionary policies.
The role will be varied as you will be dealing with a wide variety of people and ICT systems, being responsible for data input and the processing of information, providing advice and ensuring residents receive accurate bills and correct benefit payments.
Alongside your role in the Council Tax team you will be working to complete the Level 4 Revenues and Welfare Benefits Practitioner Apprenticeship qualification through The Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation (IRRV). On successful completion of the apprenticeship, you will also be awarded the Certificate of Local Taxation, Revenues and Welfare Benefits (Tech IRRV).
The apprenticeship will take approximately 18 months to complete through a blended approach combining virtual training days, online webinars, work shadowing and workplace mentoring.
More specific responsibilities include:
- Process amendments to the Revenues systems, including changes in liability, discounts, premiums and exemptions and direct debit/instalment requirements, new properties, provisional bandings.
- Answer queries regarding Council Tax liability, discounts, premiums, disregards, exemptions, recovery and enforcement action, by telephone, in writing and via Citizen Access Platform.
- Negotiate and monitor arrangements, within agreed guidelines, for payment of arrears of Council Tax and determine any relevant action including enforcement action such as referral to an Enforcement Agent, Attachment of Earnings, and recommendation for write off.
- Assess, award and review, in accordance with legislation and within agreed guidelines, discounts, premiums, disablement reductions and exemption claims; identify and report more complex cases to the Revenues Manager.
- Prepare cases for Magistrates Court and attend court in order to make arrangements, within agreed guidelines, for payment of arrears of Council Tax and Committal proceedings.
- Prepare and refer cases to the Council’s Legal Department for Charging Order proceedings.
- To liaise with other council departments and external agencies.
- To identify, prepare, check and authorise, within agreed. guidelines, refunds on Taxpayers accounts or refer for verification/certification and to transfer or reallocate moneys between taxpayers’ accounts /funds.
- Take secure debit and credit card payments in accordance with regulations.
- Identify where additional ratepayer care and support may be required, and signpost/refer accordingly to internal and external welfare support services.
- Trace absconded debtors using all available methods, including conducting credit searches, land registry searches and making appropriate contact with any known employers, former landlords and other local authorities.
- Undertake any other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time, which are commensurate with the grade of the job.
Where you'll work
DCBL Stadium
Lower House Lane
Widnes
WA8 7DZ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
THE INSTITUTE OF REVENUES, RATING AND VALUATION
Training course
Revenues and welfare benefits practitioner (level 4)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Consistently deal with customers politely and considerately, adapting your approach to meet customer and employer needs
- Achieve outcomes that the customer wants where possible. Where this is not possible, explain the reasons why. Evaluate and recommend alternative options
- Obtain all required information in the most effective way to allow tasks to be completed, considering each customers individual circumstances
- Interpret and evaluate all information to determine the relevant details for the required task
- Interpret and evaluate information to judge whether there is potential fraud indicated. Refer to the appropriate department where required
- Determine whether a dispute should lead to a change of decision and explain the reasons, using appropriate legislation
- Handle sensitive information securely and in line with current legislative requirements
- Analyse and use information and legislation to calculate amounts due when a customer first contacts your department (e.g. new claims or new accounts)
- Analyse and use information and legislation to correctly deal with changes in customers circumstances, recalculating amounts due where required
- Provide justification for any inferences drawn from available information
- Decide on the best method of recovery by evaluating the customers circumstances. Act on this judgment to start recovery of amounts due
- Use judgement to deal correctly with non-routine situations that arise
- Adapt your communication style and method to meet the individuals needs
- Communicate confidently by being personable, asking insightful questions and being able to negotiate effectively and respectfully
- Undertake activities to ensure knowledge stays current
- Take appropriate action within the limits of your authority to solve problems or make relevant colleagues aware of them
- Make accurate decisions based on the information available
- Support team members to achieve the best outcome for the team
- Request assistance or authorisation when required
- Communicate with other departments to achieve required outcomes
- Proficiently use the systems available to achieve tasks
- Refer to processes to determine the action to be taken
- Evaluate the customers financial position, assisting with personal budgeting where appropriate, or directing the customer to appropriate support
Training schedule
Online, blended learning with live & recorded training/webinars.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English Language (grade 4/C)
- Mathematics (grade 4/C)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Customer care skills
- Number skills
- Eager to learn
- Can-do attitude
Other requirements
Successful candidates will deal with all aspects of Council Tax, working in accordance with statutory regulations and/or discretionary policies. The role will be varied as you will be dealing with a wide variety of people and ICT systems, being responsible for data input and the processing of information, providing advice and ensuring residents receive accurate bills and correct benefit payments.
About this employer
Halton Borough Council is the local authority responsible for the borough of Halton, a unitary authority in Cheshire, England. All our colleagues at Halton have made a positive commitment to delivering great outcomes for our communities. Whoever joins us will share that passion for outstanding service, and strongly align with the values which define our workplace culture; Working Together – building fantastic relationships with colleagues and customers. Continuous Improvement – Keeping great service delivery at the heart of everything we do. Personal Growth – Learning, growing and developing ourselves. Accountability – doing what we say we are going to do. Inspiring Leadership – positive roles models and leading by example.
https://haltoncouncilcareers.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
Generous annual leave entitlement, starting at 34 days per year (inc. bank holidays), free car parking at HBC sites, flexible/hybrid working arrangements available, investment in your personal development & membership to salary-linked pension scheme.
Disability Confident
A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.
You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.
After this apprenticeship
Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, there will be an opportunity to apply for permanent employment in the Council Tax team.
As you approach the end of your apprenticeship, you will also receive guidance and support from our dedicated Apprenticeship Officer in applying for opportunities within Halton Borough Council. We are eager to ensure that any apprentice that joins us as an apprentice, is given every chance to secure permanent, long-term employment with us.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
Halton Borough Council
Phil Delaney
Phil.Delaney@halton.gov.uk
0151 511 7972
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000346985.
Apply now
Closes in 13 days (Sunday 2 November 2025)
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