The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint the Council delayed paying a financial remedy. The Council has now paid the remedy agreed. Further investigation by the Ombudsman would not lead to a different outcome.
The complaint
Ms X complained the Council placed her in unsuitable temporary accommodation when she was homeless. She said the Council upheld the complaint and agreed to provide a financial remedy in its complaint response. She said it then failed to pay the money as agreed. She wants the Council to make the remedy payment.
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: further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.
(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
We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the Council. The Council upheld the complaint and offered a remedy in line with our guidance. It has confirmed it has now paid that remedy, including an additional payment of £250 for the delay in making the payment. Further investigation by us would not lead to a different outcome.
Final decision
We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because further investigation will not lead to a different outcome.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman