William Eichler 21 February 2024

Council to revisit how it calculated allowances to 300 families

Council to revisit how it calculated allowances to 300 families  image
Image: Barabasa / Shutterstock.com.

An investigation has revealed that Devon County Council has been calculating incorrectly allowances for families who look after children as special guardians.

An investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) found the council had a blanket policy of deducting child benefit from all special guardians receiving universal credit.

The local authority agreed to change this policy with effect from January 2024 and has agreed to look into how it calculated allowances to nearly 300 families.

Ms Amerdeep Somal, LGSCO, said: ‘It is disappointing that the council cannot provide us with any evidence that it considered the individual circumstances of special guardians receiving means-tested benefits before making the deductions and instead applied its policy to everyone without justification.

‘In addition to this, it relied on its own policy to make these calculations – not national guidance – but its policy was based on its misunderstanding of our decisions in other cases.’

A Devon CC spokesperson said: ‘We fully accept the report’s findings and in anticipation of the publication of the report, the council’s Cabinet agreed in the autumn of 2023 to adopt the method of calculation recommended by the Ombudsman with effect from January 1 2024. We have almost completed a review of all of the payments that we make and adjusted allowances accordingly where required.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Head of Democratic Services, Elections & Monitoring Officer

Harborough District Council
Grade 12 £67,236 – £71,223 plus £3000pa Statutory Officer Allowance
We are looking for an accomplished and proactive leader for our vacant post of Head of Democratic Services & Elections Market Harborough, Leicestershire
Recuriter: Harborough District Council

Strategic Director, Corporate Services

City of Bradford MDC
c£162,000 per annum, more for an exceptional candidate
Bradford is at an extraordinary moment of transformation Bradford, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: City of Bradford MDC

Director of Human Resources

City of Bradford MDC
£119,466 - £131,207
Bradford is at an extraordinary moment of transformation Bradford, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: City of Bradford MDC

Director of Resources (Section 151 Officer)

North Kesteven District Council
£109,668 – £117,623
Create the conditions for long-term prosperity
Recuriter: North Kesteven District Council

Director of Libraries, Sport and Physical Activity & Communities

Glasgow Life
£102,894.01 - £116,854.38 per year
Our teams focus on making a real difference through culture and sport in Glasgow. Glasgow, Glasgow City
Recuriter: Glasgow Life
Linkedin Banner