Eddie
Doherty welcomed everybody to the meeting and asked for approval of the minutes
from the previous meeting, which was given. Eddie explained that the first User
Group was held in June 1997, it consisted of CAU management and representatives
from the Recognised Professional Bodies. The main aim of the group is to provide
a forum for CAU users to give feedback on the quality of service they are
receiving. It was decided at the last meeting in December 1999 that CAU should
invite members of the insolvency profession who have considerable experience of
the services provided by CAU and have provided constructive views in the past.
Eddie thanked the new members for their attendance and existing members for
their continued support.
2.Matters
arising from the previous meeting
a)IP release notice
Eddie
advised that an article appeared in Dear IP No 49 detailing the changes in the
way releases are dealt with. Eddie asked the group if the new process was
working well, the group advised that they were not experiencing any problems.
b)Customer Survey
Eddie
advised the meeting that 400 surveys were sent to a cross section of IP’s. To
date 137 have been returned, the results look favourable with some good
suggestions. A reminder letter will be sent out next week. CAU will produce a
report of the surveys findings. A copy of the report will be forwarded to the
IP’s who completed the survey. The results will also be published in Dear IP
and on the Insolvency Service website.
c)Cheque counterfoil
It
was suggested in a previous meeting that it would be useful to IP’s if the
cheque counterfoil stated the name of the payee. This has been agreed and a
request has been made to our system developers. Dawn Palmer asked if the amount
could also be stated on the counterfoil, Eddie said that he would make an
additional request to the developers and did not anticipate any problems.
d)IP signature database
Due
to software problems the implementation of the new procedures has been delayed.
These problems have now been dealt with and a 100% check of all IP signatures on
requisition forms will commence from 3 July 2000.
e)Unclaimed dividends
Jim
Curtois advised the meeting that two private sector organisations currently
provide a tracing service for unclaimed dividends. The Service has decided to
open this area of work to other organisations; currently two tracing firms have
expressed an interest. The Service has also decided to provide the details of
expired cheques in liquidation cases to these organisations.
3.Performance
Ron
Heppensatll advised the meeting that the key performance figures could be found
in their folders. He outlined the continued rise in intake with the exception of
the expected reduction in investments, which is linked to the low interest rate.
Despite the increased intake CAU has managed to meet all of the key targets.
4.On-line
access to BANCS
Eddie
advised that CAU expects to offer on-line access to IP’s accounts in October
2000. CAU management are currently in liaison with the system developers, at
this time there are three options:
1
- IP’s may view the case name and current balance
2
- IP’s may view the transactions made since the last statement
3
- IP’s may view the account in its entirety
The
preferred option would be option three; however there may be limiting factors
because of the size of the database and the amount of information to be
downloaded.
A
discussion ensued concerning the password protection required to access
accounts. It was agreed that each IP would inform CAU in writing of his/her
password, CAU would then update the database. It is at the IP’s discretion if
they wish to advise certain staff within their office of the password. The IP
will be free to change his/her password at any time. Eddie advised that once
on-line access commenced CAU would be looking at the possibility of IP’s
requesting certain payments on-line.
Eddie
advised that the bi-annual statements would continue to be issued by CAU when
on-line access commences. It was agreed that when BANCS is upgraded CAU would
look at the possibility of IP’s being able to choose the date statements are
issued.
5.BACS
Ron
Heppensatll advised that following an amendment to the Insolvency Regulations it
was now possible for CAU to offer payment by BACS on certain requisitions.
Initially CAU will only be making payments to IP’s direct, however CAU will be
opening this service up to all payments in the near future. The advantages of
BACS payments are increased security, faster turnaround and lower costs.
In
order to avoid any possible loss of foreign drafts and the associated problems,
foreign drafts will no longer be issued, but the funds will be transferred
electronically.
6.Interest
on Bankruptcy estates
When
the Insolvency Bill receives Royal Ascent bankruptcy estates will be entitled to
purchase Government securities as well as receiving interest at 3.5% pa. CAU’s
system developers are currently upgrading BANCS to cope with the change in
legislation.
7.The guide
to CAU
The
group discussed the benefits of a user guide and it was agreed that a guide
should be on the website. If an IP wanted a copy but did not have access to the
Internet then CAU could send a copy.
8.Any other
business
a)Treasury Bills
Eddie
advised the meeting that the Bank of England would only purchase Treasury Bills
once a week; previously they were purchased on a daily basis. A notice outlining
the changes was included in Dear IP issue no 49.Eddie asked the members if the change had caused any difficulties, none
of the group expressed any problems encountered.
b)email
Eddie
advised that CAU would soon be able to accept email. IP’s will be informed
through the Dear IP of the email address when procedures are finalised.
c)Feedback
Jim
Curtois asked the group for feedback regarding the User Group. The meeting
agreed that it was an extremely useful way of exchanging views and improving
procedures.
Eddie
thanked everybody for their input and it was agreed that the next meeting will
take place at 10.30 am on Wednesday 6 December 2000 @ The Insolvency Service
Headquarters in Birmingham.
