Case Ref: 20 014 123 Category: Housing Sub Category: Homelessness

• The Council will review its procedures to ensure that correct informationis given to homeless applicants and that Personal Housing Plans are fullycompleted to ensure that it complies with the duty to take reasonable steps tohelp applicants secure accommodation.

Case Ref: 20 014 023 Category: Planning Sub Category: Planning applications

• By training or other means, ensures the chair of the PAC is aware they should consider all relevant information when deciding whether to call in an application and, in making that decision, be alert to the risk of pre-determination.
• Provides evidence of the Council’s record keeping of its consideration of whether to call in an application to PAC under its terms of reference.

Case Ref: 20 012 977 Category: Planning Sub Category: Enforcement

• The Council will consider what minimum standards its planning enforcement service should adopt for keeping in touch with those who report potential breaches or offences taking place and consider how it can incorporate such service standards into existing policies.

Case Ref: 20 012 738 Category: Children's care services Sub Category: Child protection

• • Remind its adjudication officers and stage three panel members of the difference between fault (maladministration), injustice and remedy.

Case Ref: 20 012 143 Category: Planning Sub Category: Enforcement

• The Council agreed to review its procedures for investigating reports of noise nuisances to ensure it investigates them in line with its legal duties.
• The Council agreed to review its procedures for investigating planning enforcements cases to ensure it monitors compliance with legal notices or warnings it issues.
• The Council agreed to review the co-operative working arrangements between its environmental health and planning teams to ensure co-ordinated responses to reports of noise with links to planning conditions.

Case Ref: 20 011 283 Category: Housing Sub Category: COVID-19

• The Council will remind relevant staff of the need to keep a proper record of initial interviews, including the information provided by applicants and any advice given.
• The Council will consider how its allocations and homelessness teams could work more closely together to give appropriate advice in cases where an emergency transfer is sought but the applicant is also potentially homeless, to ensure all relevant options are considered.
• The Council will prepare an information sheet for tenants who need to leave their homes due to the risk of violence to set out their options and the consequences, and to explain the Council's role. This should be checked by its legal team to ensure it is accurate. This would ensure consistent advice is given to such applicants, although it should be supplemented by advice that is specific to their circumstances.
• The Council will consider what action it can take to improve the availability of appropriate housing for families fleeing violence and reduce waiting times for applicants in Band A (highest priority).

Case Ref: 20 009 627 Category: Housing Sub Category: Allocations

• The Council has agreed to ensure officers record a “bypass reason” which accurately reflects the circumstances to avoid causing unnecessary confusion and distress to unsuccessful bidders for social housing.

Case Ref: 20 007 931 Category: Transport and highways Sub Category: Parking and other penalties

• The Council has agreed to confirm the enforcement agent’s review process for clamped vehicles have been implemented. This should include agents providing photographs and recordings of vehicles as evidence to the Operations Manager for process reviews.

Case Ref: 20 005 499 Category: Benefits and tax Sub Category: COVID-19

• The Council will provide training/guidance to staff to ensure they are aware of and take into account the Ombudsman’s Principles of Good Administrative Practice in future.

Case Ref: 20 001 825 Category: Housing Sub Category: Homelessness

• The Council has agreed to remind staff of the importance of keeping to the required timescales when processing medical assessments.