Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X complaint about the Council’s handling of a disabled facilities grant. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault.

The complaint

1. Mrs X complains about the Council’s handling of a disabled facilities grant. She says the Council will not provide funding to allow the works to be completed after a contract ran off with the money before completing works.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. 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 there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by the complainant.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. Mrs X applied for a disabled facilities grant (DFG) for her daughter to enable a side extension to be built at her property. This extension was for a downstairs bedroom and wet room.
6. Mrs X complains the works remain unfinished due to a contractor running away with money before completing the project. She says the Council will not provide the funding to enable the works to be completed.
7. The Council’s responsibility within the DFG process is to refer the applicant to the district or borough council, and to complete an occupational therapist assessment to identify what adaptations were required and feasible. The responsibility for the administration of the DFG lies with Mrs X’s borough council.
8. Therefore, an investigation is not justified as we are not likely to find fault as the Council does not have any responsibility for the administration or management of the DFG works. Evidence shows the Council has fulfilled its responsibility within the DFG process as it made the referral and completed the OT assessment. Further, the Council has been out to review the moving and handling of Mrs X’s daughter.
9. Any complaint about the ongoing DFG works is for the borough council to respond to.

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Final decision

10. We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman