Issue - meetings

To advise Members of actual performance during Quarter 4 of the Improvement Plan.

(Report attached)

Officers updated the Committee on the performance of the Benefits Service and the progress against the Benefits Service Improvement Plan.

The Committee was informed that the Service was continuing to improve its performance, as demonstrated by the progressive decrease in the average time taken to process new claims and change events for Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit claims. The investment by the Council in this Service over the period of the Improvement Plan was noted in this regard.

It was noted that data for the average time taken to process claims for neighbouring authorities included separate average figures for the three authorities in South Worcestershire who participated in a shared service. Officers undertook to contact their counterparts in these authorities and provide Members with an explanation following the meeting.

RESOLVED that

the report be noted.