Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Miss X’s complaint that the Council has not rehoused her. Miss X has now been rehoused and the Ombudsman cannot add to this by investigating.

The complaint

1. The complainant, whom I shall call Miss X, complains about delay in the Council providing her with suitable accommodation.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’. In this statement, I have used the word ‘fault’ to refer to these. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint. I refer to this as ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We may decide not to start or continue with an investigation if we believe it is unlikely we could add to any previous investigation by the Council, or it is unlikely further investigation will lead to a different outcome (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

3. I have considered what Miss X said in her complaint and background information from the Council.

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What I found

4. Miss X complained to us about delay in the Council providing her with suitable accommodation. Miss X explained that her daughter has significant health issues and that they need to move, to be closer to medical appointments and for family support.
5. After Miss X complained to us, the Council advised that it had provided alternative accommodation for Miss X.

Assessment

6. The Council has provided alternative accommodation for Miss X. It is unlikely we can add to this by investigating.

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Final decision

7. My decision is that the Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint. This is because it is unlikely we can change the outcome of Miss X’s complaint or add to what the Council has already done.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman