Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the Council’s assessment of her housing priority. This is because since bringing the complaint to us, the Council has offered to complete a fresh review of Ms X’s case and it is reasonable for her to accept this offer.

The complaint

1. Ms X complained the Council had failed to take into account her child’s health needs before deciding not to award her housing priority for overcrowding. She says their current housing is unsuitable and impacting on her and her family’s wellbeing.

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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 it would be reasonable for the person to ask for a council review or appeal.

(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 and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. Since Ms X brought the complaint to us, the Council has told us it will complete a fresh review of Ms X’s case.
6. We will not investigate this complaint. The Council has offered a fresh review and it is reasonable for Ms X to accept this offer.
7. If Ms X remains dissatisfied following this review it is open to her to bring a complaint back to us for further consideration.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because the Council has offered Ms X a fresh review and it is reasonable for Ms X to accept the offer.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman