Revenues and Benefits and Fairer Falkirk team crowned Best in Scotland at IRRV Performance Awards
Our Revenues and Benefits and Fairer Falkirk team have been named Best in Scotland at the 2025 Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation (IRRV) Performance Awards.
The award recognises the Council’s innovative approach to tackling poverty and ensuring local families receive the support they’re entitled to.
By treating Council Tax Reduction (CTR) as a gateway benefit, automating processes, and using data in smarter ways, the team have made it easier for people to receive all the help available to them.
Between October 2022 and October 2024, Falkirk saw the largest rise in CTR take-up in Scotland, up 6.9% compared with a national average increase of 0.8%. This resulted in an extra 870 households receiving support.
As of November 2024, 94% of eligible families within Falkirk were receiving Scottish Child Payment, compared to 89% nationally. Almost £1m in Household Support Fund payments reached more than 5,600 adults and 4,000 children in the space of a year, with more than 1,700 households receiving £3.6m in extra benefits through checks carried out by the Council’s advice services. Many of those who benefitted most were families most likely to experience poverty.
While poverty continues to affect many families, with one in four children living in relative poverty, the service is helping more families access vital support through benefits, advice hubs, and wider services.
Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, Leader of Falkirk Council said:
I’m very proud that we have gone above and beyond in finding new ways to use data to reach and support the people who need it most within our community.
“Most importantly, this work is not just about numbers, it’s about making a real difference to people’s lives.
“This award recognises the care, creativity, and hard work that’s gone into tackling poverty and promoting social inclusion in Falkirk.
This is the first time Falkirk Council has achieved such recognition. The team are also representing Scotland as finalists for the Excellence in Social Inclusion category at the UK-wide National Awards on Thursday 2 October.