Mrs P complained that Bridgend County Borough Council (“the Council”) failed to appropriately consider all relevant factors before it decided to recover full repayment of a Disabled Facilities Grant (“DFG”). She also complained that the Council did not properly explain its decision or address her statements that it had underestimated the deterioration of her, and her husband’s health, and consequent changes in their care needs.
The Ombudsman found no evidence that the circumstances relating to Mr and Mrs P’s health and wellbeing were properly considered. In particular, the implications on Mrs P’s health, wellbeing and ability to remain safely in the property, given that Mr P could no longer provide care for her. Additionally, the Council failed to adequately explain why it did not consider those circumstances grounds for exemption of repayment and referred only to financial hardship. These failures amounted to maladministration, causing stress and confusion for the couple, who felt that their circumstances were being dismissed and overlooked unfairly.
The Council agreed to apologise for the maladministration identified and to undertake a review of its decision whether to exempt Mr and Mrs P from repayment, with particular reference to health and wellbeing. It also agreed to remind relevant staff of the importance of ensuring that grant conditions are fully explained, as well as considering and documenting all the relevant circumstances when making and explaining decisions to recover grant monies. It agreed to do these things within 1 month.