Staffing and computer problems have led to a fresh backlog of housing benefit claims at Oxford City Council.

The council's benefits and revenues department was criticised last year by Government inspectors after building up a backlog of 2,565 applications.

This was cleared by January, leaving only a small number of staff to work on the outstanding applications.

But a document unearthed by city councillor Fiyaz Mughal revealed that in April there were 164 appeals outstanding and 1,618 claimants waiting for decisions after six weeks.

The council says these figures have been cut to 50 appeals and 600 waiting claimants.

Housing associations have been told there is an average wait of seven weeks. The council is supposed to assess claims within 14 days.

Rose Hill and Donnington Advice Centre said one client had been waiting to hear about an appeal for eight months. Former Lord Mayor Carole Roberts, from the centre, said: "Appeals are meant to be sent on to an independent body in Birmingham. But they get stuck at the council for months. It's hard to get a straight answer. Some of our clients are quite ill and vulnerable, so it's very distressing for them."

Mr Mughal wants a cross-party committee to be set up to monitor the process and restore public confidence.

Richard Tarver, executive member for local services, said: "Unfortunately, with extra work from the new tax credits, unexpected staff turnover and systems problems, a backlog has again built up."

He said tenants were never evicted because of delays.

The Government has given £230,000 to improve the department, six more staff have been employed and a new computer and telephone system is to be installed.

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