The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: A woman complained about the Council’s failure to provide her family with suitable accommodation. But we will not investigate this matter because the Council has now offered satisfactory housing, and we could not achieve a better outcome than that.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start an investigation if, for example, we are satisfied with the actions a council has taken and further investigation would not lead to a different outcome. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 24A(6) & 24A(7))
How I considered this complaint
I considered the information Miss B provided about her complaint and her comments on the telephone.
My assessment
Soon after Miss B complained to us, the Council offered her a permanent tenancy of a property which was suitable for her family’s needs. Miss B was happy to accept the Council’s offer.
In the circumstances there is no need for us to start an investigation in Miss B’s case as the Council has now taken satisfactory action to address her concerns by offering suitable accommodation, and we could not achieve a better result than the one it has provided.
Final decision
We will not investigate Miss B’s complaint that the Council had failed to offer her suitable accommodation. This is because the Council has now provided a suitable property and we could not achieve a better outcome than that.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman