Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Ms X’s housing band priority. This is because the Council has now awarded Ms X the priority band she was seeking.

The complaint

1. The complainant, who I refer to as Ms X, complained the Council had not awarded her the gold medical priority banding to enable her to move more quickly to more suitable accommodation.

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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 effect on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service but must use public money carefully. We may decide not to start an investigation if the tests set out in our Assessment Code are not met. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by Ms X and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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Final decision

5. We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because the Council has now awarded Ms X the housing priority band she was seeking.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman