Blackburn with Darwen Council (19 009 939)

Statement Upheld Disabled facilities grants 03-Jul-2020

Summary: Mr X complained about the way the Council dealt with his request for a disabled facilities grant for his son, Z. He said this caused him and Z unnecessary distress. There was no fault when the Council withdrew initial plans for adaptations and provided Mr X with alternative options. The Council was at fault in allowing the process to drift significantly. This caused Mr X unnecessary frustration and time and trouble. It also caused Z an injustice because he struggles at times to access the first floor. The Council should apologise and pay Mr X £300 to remedy the injustice identified.

Teignbridge District Council (19 005 964)

Statement Upheld Disabled facilities grants 29-Jun-2020

Summary: Mr B complains the Council unreasonably paid his builder for disabled facilities grant works when the works did not match the schedule agreed. The Council was not at fault for its decision to release part funding for the works although it should have explained the basis of its calculation to Mr B and the builder more clearly. That caused Mr B frustration. An apology to Mr B and an agreement to set out in writing the Council’s calculation of the amount released is satisfactory remedy.

Harlow District Council (20 000 030)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Disabled facilities grants 07-May-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about Council’s refusal to award a Disabled Facilities Grant. This is because the complaint has been made late.

Vale of White Horse District Council (19 000 572)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Disabled facilities grants 30-Apr-2020

Summary: Mrs X complained about the failure of the contractor to carry out works to a good standard when they did improvement work to her property under a disabled facilities grant paid by the Council in 2014. The Ombudsman should not exercise discretion to investigate this complaint. This is because she was aware of the defects more than 12 months before she complained to us and because the contract was between the householder and the builder, not the Council.

Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council (19 017 203)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Disabled facilities grants 03-Apr-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with a Disabled Facilities Grant for adaptations to the complainant’s home. This is because he is unlikely to find fault by the Council.

Wakefield City Council (19 005 875)

Statement Not upheld Disabled facilities grants 01-Apr-2020

Summary: Mr C complained that the Council’s recommendation to meet his mother’s needs by installing a through lift or by rehousing her, is not suitable. The Ombudsman did not find fault with the actions of the Council.

Bedford Borough Council (19 010 435)

Statement Not upheld Disabled facilities grants 31-Mar-2020

Summary: the Council was not at fault when it decided not to pay a Disabled Facilities Grant because builders had completed the eligible works before Mrs X returned the grant application form.