The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Mr X’s housing register priority banding. The Council is currently completing a review of the decision and it is reasonable to allow the Council to complete this process.
The complaint
Mr X complains the Council has refused to increase his housing register priority banding, despite proving evidence of overcrowding and medical needs. He wants the Council to increase his priority banding and provide him with suitable housing.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
We investigate 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 continue 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), as amended, section 34(B))
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
Mr X asked the Council to increase his housing priority banding and provided additional information to support his request. The Council considered the information but decided it was satisfied Mr X was in the correct band.
Mr X was unhappy with this decision and asked the Council to review it. The Council accepted his request and is currently completing the review process.
We will not investigate this complaint. The Council is currently completing a review of its banding decision, which is an appropriate response to Mr X’s request. It is reasonable for us to allow the Council to complete this process.
If Mr X remains unhappy following the review, he can make a new complaint to us.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because the Council is currently reviewing its decision and it is reasonable to allow the Council to complete this process.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman