Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with a management transfer application. The Council offered a proportionate remedy for the delay in dealing with the application. We will not investigate how the Council reached its decision to refuse a management transfer as we cannot achieve a worthwhile outcome.

The complaint

1. Miss X complains that the Council delayed in dealing with her request for a management transfer due to domestic abuse and that decisions on her request have not been clear or properly explained. Miss X says that as a result she has felt unsupported, unsafe and in a prolonged state of disruption. Miss X also says she cannot be sure the Council has made its decisions using full and accurate information

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We may decide not to start or continue with an investigation if we are satisfied with the actions an organisation has taken or proposes to take. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(7), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

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

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My assessment

5. Miss X is a Council tenant and applied for a management transfer due to the risk of domestic abuse. Miss X complained to the Council about delay in considering her application. The Council accepted it delayed in dealing with the application. It offered a payment of £1050 to recognise the distress caused to Miss X.
6. We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about delay in dealing with her management transfer application. The Council offered an appropriate and proportionate remedy for the distress caused to her. The payment offered is in line with our Guidance in Remedies.
7. The Council refused Miss X’s application for a management transfer. Miss X asked for a review but the Council did not change its decision. We will not investigate how the Council reached its decision to refuse Miss X’s application and its review decision. If we found fault causing injustice to Miss X we would recommend the Council considers the application again. But Miss X’s circumstances have changed so this remedy would not be appropriate. So, we cannot achieve a worthwhile outcome for her.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint as the Council offered a proportionate remedy for the delay in dealing with her management transfer application. We will not investigate how the Council reached its decision to refuse Miss X’s application as we cannot achieve a worthwhile outcome.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman