Responding to the Audit Commission’s report, Interim Chief Executive, Philip Marshall said:

“The Audit Commission findings are very disappointing. The Council accepts the inspectors’ judgements and will work hard to put things right.”

Back in 2007, significant improvements in the Benefits Service helped Ashfield achieve a ‘Good Council’ rating in the Comprehensive Performance Assessment.

“Since then our improvement has not kept pace with other Councils,” said Mr. Marshall. “One contributing factor is the accepted current low level of spend on this area of work, but this can be no excuse for allowing the service, relied on by many vulnerable Ashfield residents, to become 'Poor' by national comparison”.

A robust plan of action to address all of the inspectors’ recommendations has been developed, designed to deliver and sustain the level of service expected by the Audit Commission. That means achieving above average performance across all service indicators within a year and making the service more responsive to user needs. This will require additional investment and the commitment of Members, managers and staff.

Cllr. Liz Mays, the Lead Member for Customer and Corporate Services said,

“We are absolutely determined to fully learn the lessons of this inspection. This administration will address the issues highlighted within the report by investing in this team so that Ashfield District Council can deliver a Benefits Service that our residents deserve and one that we can all be proud of.”

Benefits Service Inspection - Ashfield District Council September 2009

Audit Commission - Press Release