5 April 2005 - Benefit Fraud Inspectorate (BFI) Inspection Report on Flintshire County Council
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Alan Johnson, has today published an Inspection report by the BFI on Flintshire County Council’s processing of claims to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.
In 2003/04, Flintshire County Council administered some £26.5 million in housing benefits, about 10 per cent of its gross revenue expenditure. The council was inspected because it was taking 89 days on average to process new benefit claims in the final quarter of 2003/04, against a Standard of 36 days.
While Inspectors recognised the council’s commitment to improve the service it had had some difficulty implementing a new Benefits IT system late in 2003 and this caused a backlog of work and deterioration in the previously high levels of performance. The council cleared this by June 2004 although staff training and the development of management information were given lower priority. By October 2004 Flintshire was processing new claims in 70 days, an improvement but still almost twice the Standard. Problems remain with the IT system and must be addressed urgently. While the Benefits service is integral to the council’s corporate aims, objectives and targets for it were not prioritised. During these periods of change, benefit staff duties and lines of responsibilities were not clear.
BFI is an independent unit within the Department for Work and Pensions that reports directly to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the standard of benefit administration and counter-fraud activity.
Chris Pond, Minister for Housing Benefit and Anti-Fraud, announced the publication of the report in a written ministerial statement.
Notes for editors
- The focused inspection at Flintshire County Council included an initial fact finding stage, an on-site visit, and production and clearance of the report. The on-site visit took place during November and December 2004.
- Each BFI inspection report is considered by the Secretary of State who decides whether any further action is appropriate. The Secretary of State has powers to issue directions to a local authority to secure acceptable or minimum standards in performance.
- Media copies of the BFI inspection report can be obtained from the Department for Work and Pensions Press Office on 020 7238 0866.
- All BFI inspection reports can be found on the BFI website.
Department for Work and Pensions Press enquiries: 020 7238 0866
BFI Press enquiries: 01423 83 2938
Out of hours: 07659 108883
Public enquiries: 020 7712 2171
Website: www.dwp.gov.uk