Disputes over benefits go up (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Disputes over benefits go up

11:12am Sunday 26th August 2007 in

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COMPLAINTS about Basingstoke and Deane Council's planning matters fell, but grievances over benefits have risen, according to the Local Government Ombudsman, Jerry White.

He also pointed out that the council was not responding to his inquiries fast enough - although its performance had improved.

The benefits disputes made up a third of the 12 complaints against the council in 2006-07.

A letter sent to council chiefs by the Ombudsman revealed the council had to pay £1,400 in compensation to four complainants between April 2006 and March 2007. The ombudsman found there was maladministration by the council in two of these cases.

The first, which resulted in a payout of £500, occurred when the complainant, who was living in temporary accommodation, did not receive a letter giving him notice to leave until halfway through the notice period.

The second, which cost £200, followed the council's failure to provide adequate information to applicants for a Disabled Facilities Grant.

Two complaints settled locally resulted in compensation payments totalling £700.

In his letter to the council, the ombudsman says: "I found no evidence of maladministration in two complaints about planning and building control and public finance.

"Four complaints were premature - the same figure as last year.

"I decided that one complaint was outside my jurisdiction as it concerned a commercial transaction. I exercised my discretion not to pursue three other complaints for various reasons."

The letter noted that complaints were down from 13 in 2005-06.

However, Mr White urged the council to improve the time it takes to respond to inquiries from his office.

He said: "The average time for responding was 31.5 days, a welcome decrease on the figure for the previous year, but still outside the 28 days we ask for."