Case Ref: 24 022 022 Category: Benefits and tax Sub Category: Council tax

• BinJ to review its procedures within two months of LGSCO decision to ensure that: a) all council tax staff can differentiate between matters carrying aright of appeal and those which are for the complaints procedure, and can take correct action on each; and b) its standard letters, website, and other relevant correspondence provide information about council tax liability appeals.

Case Ref: 24 014 177 Category: Housing Sub Category: Allocations

• The Council agreed to review its procedures and protocols to ensure: i) proper records are made, retained, and checked about temporary accommodation where tenants are moved because of its poor condition; ii) checks are made before moving an applicant into such a property to ensure any remedial works necessary were done to make it suitable to let.
• The Council agreed to review why a housing needs assessment was not done before moving the complainant in to the property and remind relevant officers of the need to do them.
• The Council agreed to review why delays happened in responding to reports about the property’s condition and act to ensure these cannot be repeated on future cases.
• The Council agreed to remind relevant officers of the need to keep interim/temporary accommodation’s suitability under review during its occupation.
• The Council agreed to review why there were failures with the complaints procedure and act to ensure these cannot be repeated on future cases.

Case Ref: 24 014 029 Category: Housing Sub Category: Homelessness

• The Council agreed to carry out a review to identify the reasons why the section 202 review did not take place within 8 weeks and act to ensure the delay experienced on this case is not repeated on future cases.
• The Council agreed to remind relevant staff of the need to record decisions about suitability.
• The Council agreed to remind relevant staff of the need to promptly inform applicants of the decision about suitability.

Case Ref: 24 013 200 Category: Housing Sub Category: Allocations

• set out action taken to improve delays in the Review Team

Case Ref: 24 012 786 Category: Adult care services Sub Category: Other

• The Council has agreed to produce guidance for relevant staff on when and how to check a tenant’s social care and/or equipment needs when responding to repairs.

Case Ref: 24 011 977 Category: Housing Sub Category: Homelessness

• The Council agreed to review why the complainant was allowed to remain in accommodation it had already decided was unsuitable, with no additional help from the Council to find suitable accommodation, and take steps to ensure this cannot be repeated on other cases.
• The Council agreed to remind relevant officers of the need to inform tenants about unsuitability decisions at the time they are made.
• The Council agreed to ensure tenants who remain in their temporary accommodation understand the legal position of their accommodation after a decision to end the housing duty has been made

Case Ref: 24 011 190 Category: Housing Sub Category: Homelessness

• • Provide guidance to staff to ensure:a) Correspondence with applicants is properly sent and recorded.b) Homelessness applications are dealt with in a timely manner.c) Enquiries regarding crime reference numbers are made to all relevant police forces.d) Full and proper consideration is given to each applicant in relation to their eligibility for interim accommodation.e) Complaint responses are sent within the relevant timescales, or interim responses are sent clearly explaining why it is not possible to reply fully in the proper timeframe.

Case Ref: 24 009 839 Category: Benefits and tax Sub Category: Other

• The Council has agreed to provide relevant business owners with clear, accurate and timely information about the six-month discretionary business rates relief deadline.

Case Ref: 24 009 793 Category: Education Sub Category: School admissions

• The Council has agreed to remind Panel members and staff who deal with deferred entry requests of the requirements set out in the Admissions Code and relevant guidance. It should also provide those staff with a copy of this decision statement.
• The Council will also take action to ensure decision letters include a meaningful analysis of why the Council has reached a decision about what is in the best interests of the specific child

Case Ref: 24 009 675 Category: Housing Sub Category: Homelessness

• Provide a written briefing to officers in its homelessness team regarding the importance of retaining accurate records of the actions/decisions taken by the Council regarding homelessness applications.
• Remind officers of the Council’s duty to make inquiries into what, if any, duties it owes someone contacting the council who gives a reason to believe they may be homeless or threatened with homelessness within 56 days.
• Remind staff of the Council’s duty to secure interim accommodation for an applicant whilst it carries out an assessment if there is reason to believe they may be eligible, homeless and in priority need.