The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s assessment of Mr X’s medical housing need as the Council is to review its decision.
The complaint
Mr X complains the Council has not properly considered whether he should be awarded housing priority on medical grounds. This has caused Mr X’s health to worsen.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
The Ombudsman investigates complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start or may decide not to continue with an investigation if we decide it would be reasonable for the person to ask for a council review or appeal (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6))
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
Under the Council’s allocation policy, any decision on medical priority can be reviewed, on request, by someone who has not previously been involved in the case. The Council is going to carry out a review and so we will not investigate at this time. Mr X can come back to us once this has been done, should he remain dissatisfied.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because the Council is to review its decision.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman