Fewer compensation payments in North Devon

Council paid out just over £1,000

North Devon Council paid compensation to 14 people during the last financial year totalling £1,041.

This was half the number who were paid because of complaints the year before.

In 2023/24 the council shelled out £1,547 to residents whose complaints it felt warranted compensation or a refund.

Most issues are resolved without compensation, the authority’s governance committee was told.

Last year eight people had their garden permits extended at a cost of £170 for missed garden waste collections and one received £50 for missed recycling.

Three received a total of £706 for planning complaints and another £65 relating to a complaint around council tax and unclear account balance advice.

Another received £50 for a delay in correspondence about a housing case.

The council’s director of resources Jon Triggs said over the last three years the number of complaints ending in compensation had gone down.

When it came to bin collections, the council aimed to achieve 100 per cent, he said, and would only pay residents where it had repeatedly missed collections or complaintants had taken excessive time and trouble to reach a resolution.

“I would like to be here and saying we had paid no compensation but on occasions it is valid and appropriate,” he said.