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LIBRARIES “NOT GETTING PAPERS” BECAUSE OF CAPITA COCK-UP

25-01-2008

The Stirrer’s been told that libraries in Birmingham haven’t been receiving their daily newspapers because newsagents bills haven’t been settled.  The root of the problem is the Council’s new IT payments system, Voyager, recently introduced by consultants Capita.

We know of at least one library in the city where this is an ongoing issue, but to maintain confidentiality, we aren’t releasing the name at the moment.

In any event, we understand that the problem affects more than one establishment, but are still waiting confirmation of the details.

Our understanding is that newsagents who haven’t been paid since October, have effectively gone on strike and decided to withhold the papers.

Other suppliers are also experiencing problems as a result of the introduction of Voyager.

One individual told us he’s owed hundreds of pounds by the Council, but although the debts date back several months, he just can’t get his cash. 

We’ve been told of another firm in the city where late payments by the local authority have led to the bailiffs have coming in.

The people affected are understandably reluctant to be named, despite these difficulties, as they fear they might lose future contracts.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that the system's scanning software failed to register hundreds of invoices and that as a result, these have simply been lost

Late last year, difficulties with Voyager were written off by the Council as “teething problems”, and journalists were assured the problem would be sorted by January.

Well, it’s January now, and they clearly haven’t been.

We’ve asked the Council how many debts are outstanding as a result of  Voyager and how much money is involved – we’ll let you know the answer.

These latest revelations are likely to cause embarrassment in light of the news that Birmingham has paid Capita £20million in the last two years alone (see link here)

Are you affected by the problems with Voyager?  Leave a comment on the Message Board.