Case Ref: 23 015 424 Category: Housing Sub Category: Homelessness

• The Council has agreed to change its letter template to ensure that when applicants with dependent children are placed in B & B accommodation under the interim or main housing duty, they are informed that the Homelessness Code of Guidance states that this should be limited to no more than six weeks.

Case Ref: 23 015 394 Category: Transport and highways Sub Category: Parking and other penalties

• The Council will ensure that it shares this decision with relevant staff and remind them of the need to follow the complaints policy, and be clear in its correspondence with complainants about this.
• The Council will ensure that it shares this decision with relevant staff dealing with vulnerable debtors, including those employed by its bailiff contractor. It should remind staff that it needs to consider vulnerability promptly and clearly coordinate action between the Council and the bailiff.
• The Council will put into a written document its process for dealing with vulnerable debtors who owe money other than council tax, including when an account should be returned to it. The Council should ensure it shares this policy or process with relevant staff.

Case Ref: 23 015 247 Category: Education Sub Category: Special educational needs

• Complete a review of the process around Tribunal outcomes, with a view to ensuring any decision reached by the Council is communicated by the deadline. The Council will provide the Ombudsman with the outcome of its review.

Case Ref: 23 014 498 Category: Transport and highways Sub Category: Highway repair and maintenance

• The Council has agreed to ensure that signs A and B are in place on the local Public Right of Way.
• The Council has agreed to develop an action plan on how it will manage sign replacement going forward. This should include how it will communicate about expectations and timeframes with Mr X and members of the public.

Case Ref: 23 013 396 Category: Housing Sub Category: Allocations

• Share the learning from the case at the Council’s next “lessons to be learned quarterly session” with all staff.
• Highlights this case to the reviewing officer, to ensure reviews are properly carried out in future.

Case Ref: 23 012 872 Category: Housing Sub Category: Homelessness

• The Council has agreed to provide training or guidance to relevant officers to ensure they are properly considering relevant matters when carrying out homelessness assessments, in accordance with the homelessness code of guidance, and that they are completing personalised housing plans appropriately.
• The Council has agreed to change its letter template to ensure that when the Council places a family with dependent children in bed and breakfast accommodation under the interim or main housing duty, it confirms that the Homelessness Code of Guidance states this should be limited to no more than six weeks.
• The Council has agreed to take action to ensure it is able to respond to complaints within the timeframes set out in its complaints procedure.

Case Ref: 23 012 862 Category: Housing Sub Category: Homelessness

• The Council has agreed to change its letter template to ensure that when applicants with dependent children are placed in B & B accommodation under the interim or main housing duty, they are informed that the Homelessness Code of Guidance states that this should be limited to no more than six weeks.

Case Ref: 23 011 756 Category: Housing Sub Category: Homelessness

• By training or other means, remind officers dealing with reviews of the Council’s decision on a housing application, that they should fully explain the factors considered and reasons for decisions, including how the allocations scheme applies to an application. This is to ensure the Council’s decisions are transparent.
• By training or other means, remind officers of the Council’s duty to offer suitable temporary accommodation when it accepts the main housing duty.

Case Ref: 23 011 687 Category: Housing Sub Category: Homelessness

• The Council has agreed to provide training or guidance to relevant officers to ensure they are properly considering relevant matters when carrying out homelessness assessments, in accordance with the Homelessness Code of Guidance, and that they are completing personalised housing plans appropriately.
• The Council has agreed to change its letter template to ensure that when it places a family with dependent children in bed and breakfast accommodation under the interim or main housing duty, it confirms that the Homelessness Code of Guidance states this should be limited to no more than six weeks.

Case Ref: 23 011 099 Category: Housing Sub Category: Other

• The Council has agreed to review its procedures to ensure that allegations made concerning a sponsor under the Homes for Ukraine scheme are investigated promptly and the sponsor is made aware as soon as possible of any suspension and the outcome of the investigation.