New face at Lambeth Council Revenue and Benefits service

The head of one of the best benefits services in the country has joined Lambeth Council.

David Ashmore has joined Lambeth from Harrow Council, which won the IRRV award in 2005 for benefits service of the year.

At Lambeth, the benefits service has improved dramatically over the last few years, with average turnaround times being slashed from 100 days to around 35 days. The service has just been given a “good” rating, but David is confident it can improve further and will be judged excellent within the next few years.

As well as improving the lives of the 40,000 Lambeth residents who claim benefits, becoming an excellent service also significantly increases revenue into the borough. Because the Government gives 100 per cent subsidies to benefits services that turn around claims accurately and on time, David’s improvement drive could ultimately recoup the authority up to £10million a year.

Among the measures he will be introducing is working more closely with housing officers because of the large number of benefit claimants who are also council tenants, and also working more closely with the voluntary sector and the Department for Work and Pensions. There will also be a closer relationship between the team and the council’s joint service centre, as many customers are also claimants.

David said: “I am really excited about the challenge ahead, and because of the make-up of Lambeth it gives me the chance to make a positive impact on more people’s lives.

“I was also very impressed by Lambeth during the recruitment process, particularly by the obvious dedication of the revenue and benefits team.

“I was also struck by the leadership and commitment of chief executive Derrick Anderson and Mike Suarez, the executive director for finance and resources. It is clear that Lambeth is already on the right road and it is an exciting time to be in the borough.

“Things are already going in the right direction here, with the number of days it takes to process an application down to 35 days already. I am confident we will be able to significantly reduce this further, and to turn the benefits service into an excellent service over the next few years.”

Mike Suarez, executive director for finance and resources at Lambeth, said: “Like any council, we are only as good as the people who work here and this is why I am so pleased we have managed to attract David.

“His track record is second-to-none, and if he can do as well here as he did at Harrow then his appointment is great news for all the residents who rely on the benefits service.

“And hopefully David coming here will help reinforce the message that Lambeth is a forward thinking council where the best people want to come and work.”