Issue - meetings

(Report of the ACE – PPP&C)  To receive and consider the attached investigation report of the Local Government Ombudsman, and to determine action to be taken in the light of the finding of maladministration, and the Ombudsman’s recommendations.

The committee received this report to consider the investigation of the Local Government Ombudsman and to determine action to be taken in the light of the finding of maladministration and the Ombudsman’s recommendations.

Members noted that the allegations referred to in the case dated from 2005, and were assured by Officers that processes and systems relating to Homelessness had been significantly improved.  It was also noted that there were a number of mitigating factors in the case under consideration.

Officers informed Members that Homeless people were not now placed in Temporary Accommodation until a decision had been made, with noticeable improvements taking place in the processing of Homelessness Applications in the previous six months.

RESOLVED:

1.  That recommendation 4.3 of the report be amended to read:

That the guidance to officer on the issues raised by the complaint be reviewed in the light of the 2006 Homelessness Code of Guidance, and that clear-cut good practice guidance be in place at all times.

2.   That the recommendations of the report be agreed, subject to the above amendment.