More Pensions Advice Information

Councillor Phil Bateman said "I have attached the latest information that I have received from the The Pension Service following their decision to withdraw an advice surgery from Ashmore Park Library. The response is in full...elsewhere on the website is the original comment.

This is the crux of the response I have received from a senior official in the The Wolverhampton Pension Centre."

Your email regarding the above has been forwarded to me. I was responsible for the review of Wolverhampton surgeries which are staffed by my personnel.
I very much regret the disappointment caused by the findings of the review. The staff at Ashmore Park Library have always been helpful and supportive in the development of our out reach services. The local population have often shown their appreciation. My staff have in turn enjoyed their company.

I would like to explain the issues you refer to in your email in turn . The review is part of a national instruction to free-up staff resource to increase new claims to Pension Credit. It is also part of continuing moves by the Pension Service towards a telephone based service with face-to-face services as a supplement. The review had to be based on numbers attending, new claims generated and geographical coverage and the adoption of appointment only surgeries. I had proposed increasing Wednesfield library frequency to compensate in some part. I'm sorry that this has inflamed feelings further. Ironically it looks as if I will not be able to do so because of the severity of the restrictions of the review.
The Department has had difficulty ensuring computer details of local surgeries are accurate and this has sometimes caused confusion and misdirection when customers enquire. The system has now been centralised and greatly improved.
Ashmore Park Library has suffered loss of service due to bank holidays. I'm afraid alternative dates are not available because staff are already fully timetabled into other duties and surgeries. In future when we consider arrangements we will avoid Mondays as far as possible, so the problem is reduced.

While I cannot continue the Ashmore Park drop-in based surgery I would still like to offer the best standard of service possible. If any person age 60 or over with a benefit related problem, that they cannot deal with over the phone, would like to see a member of my staff I will ensure they are offered a home visit or appointment at a location and time of their choice. Initial contact should be on 0845 60 60 265. Callers should ask for Local Service visits, and once put through should outline their query. My staff will make any arrangements on the spot and the caller will know the date, time and the name of the officer due to call.

I hope the population in and around Ashmore Park enjoy full use of the revised service. I would like to think they will come to see it as an improvement rather than a reduction in our commitment to them. They will certainly have more time and privacy and my staff will be able to reach more people.

If I can be of any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.


Local Services Delivery Manager
Wolverhampton Pension Centre
Molineux House, Temple St, Wolverhampton, WV2 4AU

Phil Bateman added "So there you are the full story and I am inclined to believe that all that can be done has been done. I do hope that constituents will take up the advice offered."