The benefits service provided by Thurrock Council is 'fair' and has 'promising' prospects for improvement, according to an independent report released today by the Audit Commission.
On a scale from zero to three stars the Audit Commission inspection team gave the service a 'fair' one-star rating. New claims and changes in circumstances are now being processed more quickly and the service is easily accessible for most people. But customers are still having to wait too long for appeals to be heard.
Ian Davidson, Audit Commission senior manager, said:
'The benefits service at Thurrock Council has improved over the last year. People making new claims or reporting changes of circumstances are now dealt with more promptly, facilities for customers accessing the service are good and there is a strong emphasis on customer care. But customers are still waiting too long for a decision if they question something or make an appeal. The Council needs to put this right, and do more to prevent and detect fraud. To its credit, the Council is committed to delivering an efficient benefits service and plans are in place to achieve this.'
Strengths include:
- New claims and changes in circumstances are processed quickly.
- Customers are able to easily access the service at various locations across the area, with two of them open on Saturday mornings.
- Most customers visiting the offices or telephoning do not have long waits.
- Extra money available to help vulnerable people is being used effectively.
Weaknesses include:
- Delays in dealing with customers' appeals.
- The service is not doing enough to recover overpaid benefit.
To help the service improve, inspectors made a number of recommendations. These include:
- Doing more to understand the needs of residents and meeting these needs more effectively.
- Working with partner organisations to make sure people receive the benefits they are entitled to.
- Tackling benefit fraud more effectively.
- Improving value for money.
Copies of the report are available from Thurrock Council or from the Audit Commission website.
Notes to editors
- The benefits service is managed by one of Thurrock Council's strategic partners, although the investigation team remains in-house. The service pays out around £50m a year to over 14,450 households; this represents about 22 per cent of households in the area.
- The Audit Commission is an independent watchdog, driving economy, efficiency and effectiveness in local public services to deliver better outcomes for everyone.
- Our work across local government, health, housing, community safety and fire and rescue services means that we have a unique perspective. We promote value for money for taxpayers, auditing the £200 billion spent by 11,000 local public bodies.
- As a force for improvement, we work in partnership to assess local public services and make practical recommendations for promoting a better quality of life for local people.
For more information please contact Eric Ludlow on 0844 798 4183