Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s failure to consider an appeal against its decision on his housing application. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because Mr X has asked to withdraw his complaint. He decided to begin court proceedings against the Council.

The complaint

1. The complainant, whom I shall call Mr X, complains about the Council’s failure to properly respond to his request for an appeal against its review of his housing application decision.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We can decide whether to start or discontinue an investigation into a complaint within our jurisdiction. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 24A(6) and 34B(8), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

3. I have considered all the information which Mr X submitted with his complaint. I have also considered the Council’s response.

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What I found

4. Mr X applied to the Council for housing following an earlier application which was rejected resulting in him taking court action. The Council rejected his latest application and he asked for a review. The review was also unsuccessful. Mr X asked the Council to consider his appeal against the review outcome. The Council did not reply for several weeks. It told him this was because of the large amount of information on his application and complaint.
5. The Council denied him an appeal because he said the application concerns an address which he no longer lives at. Mr X says he is taking further court proceedings and has withdrawn his complaint to us.

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Final decision

6. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because Mr X has asked to withdraw his complaint. He decided to begin court proceedings against the Council.

Investigator’s final decision on behalf of the Ombudsman

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman