Northumberland County Council: Benefits Service
The Benefits Service provided by Northumberland County Council is 'fair' with promising prospects for improvement, according to a report released by the Audit Commission.
On a scale from zero to three stars, the Audit Commission inspection team gave the service a One-star rating.
Michael Newbury, Audit Commission Senior Manager, said:
"Many of the most vulnerable people in the county rely on Northumberland's Benefits Service. The Council's commitment to maintaining the service through its reorganisation last year and its progress since has helped many people avoid financial hardship and keep their homes. Its work on making sure that claims are accurate is good news for taxpayers.
"However, more needs to be done, particularly to raise peoples' awareness of the benefits that they may be entitled to. Our recommendations focus on helping the service to improve in this and other areas."
The report identifies several strengths, including:
Weaknesses noted include:
The Benefits Service in Northumberland pays out around £92 million per year to 30,335 people.
Other Full Inspection Reports
Short-notice Inspection Reports
Severn Vale Housing Society has more weaknesses than strengths.
Inspectors looked at how well Severn Vale Housing Society (SVHS) improves tenants' homes, responds to complaints and involves tenants in the design and delivery of services.
They found that SVHS is not supporting tenants to become more involved in how services are provided and it is not ensuring that services provide the best value for money.
