A COUNCIL has been criticised by a Government agency for taking an average of 77 days to process housing benefit and council tax claims.

A report by the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate (BFI) into Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council said poor administration resulted in the excessive time taken to pro-cess housing benefit claims and changes of circumstances regarding council tax.

But council bosses last night said they had improved the situation since the BFI's visit, in August last year.

Investigators found it took an average of 77 days to process housing benefit and council tax claims and 44 days for changes of circumstances.

They said the delays were due to poor administration caused by transfer of council housing stock to Coast and Country Housing, by negotiations to contract out its benefits service to Liberata and by efforts to meet Government service standards.

Housing Benefit Minister Chris Pond said: "It is not acceptable that claimants have to wait up to eight weeks for their housing benefit - this is a key benefit that helps people secure what they need to get a job - an address."

But waiting times in the borough were down to 44 days for benefit claims, in line with other authorities, and ten days for changes of circumstances, which is above average, he said.

Councillor Glyn Nightingale, member for corporate resources, said: "We are pleased to see that the inspectors acknowledge processing times for new claims and changes of circumstances have improved significantly since their visit.

"They have seen great efforts continually being made to achieve a place in the top 25 per cent of councils."

Councillor Nightingale said claimants would soon notice the benefits of a speedier processing system, helped by the investment in computer systems.

"We are also now on the verge of major changes that should result in even greater improvements, including better help with claims through our plans for One-Stop Shops," he said.

Labour leader Councillor George Dunning said: "Clearly, Redcar and Cleveland Council should give the payment of housing benefit and council tax benefit top priority to get it back on course, as these payments are for the most vulnerable in our borough."