Foreword
The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate recently inspected the benefit administration and counter fraud activity of Burnley Borough Council (Burnley BC).Burnley BC is responsible for benefits expenditure of £22.5 million each year. This represents approximately 44.5% of its total expenditure of £50.6 million.
At the time of our inspection Burnley BC provided a poor service to claimants, particularly in the time taken to process many claims. We found that there were weaknesses in the application of the Verification Framework. We also found indications that private landlord cases, which make up a high proportion of the case load, represent one of the highest risk categories for this LA, but that it has taken little action to address this potential problem. Burnley BC does not manage the work of the fraud section effectively.
Burnley BC must:
- make all appropriate references to the Rent Officer
- implement plans for clearing its arrears of work as a matter of urgency
- XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX
- introduce effective liaison arrangements with the local landlords association
- collect relevant information on private landlords to enable them to assess risks and identify problem areas
- provide effective management for the fraud section
- use the fraud data base to analyse risk categories
- prosecute offenders where appropriate.
At the time of the on-site inspection Burnley BC had prepared plans for clearing its arrears of work. These plans included the recruitment and training of additional staff.
By reducing the delays in processing claims and tightening the application of the Verification Framework in the areas we specify, Burnley BC could greatly improve the service provided to claimants, while at the same time tightening the gateway to benefits. Improving how potentially fraudulent claims are investigated in the ways we recommend in this report would complement this action, by tackling cases that do get through more effectively.
Finally, I am grateful to the Chief Executive and the staff of Burnley BC for their constructive approach before and during the inspection.
George Mackle
Inspector