ALAN Connett, Teignbridge Council leader, stepped in to defend staff after fellow councillors criticised the length of time it is taking to process new housing benefit claims. Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday were considering targets governing every aspect of council performance from recycling to homelessness, even down to the number of telephone rings before calls are answered at Forde House. The target set for processing new claims this year was 30 days, but long-term sickness among staff and the introduction of a new payment system had meant it is actually taking 38 days. Next year the target is 27 days, but Cllr Keith Smith was not satisfied, saying this was the target they set two years ago. 'We need to call the portfolio holder here. We need to focus on this issue and the misery and homelessness that this causes. 'People can't be considered by private landlords because of the time it takes to deal with their claim,' he said. Cllr Connett said that staff had done an excellent job and were dedicated to reducing the time taken. 'We are working very hard and don't need to be reminded what our customers face when it takes a long time. We are happy with the target of 27 days – it will be very challenging. Targets need to be challenging and stretching but not impossible to achieve.'
