A disabled man has been left to live in unsuitable accommodation for three years because Daventry District Council wanted to save money, the Local Government Ombudsman has found.
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The finding comes following an investigation into a complaint that the council failed to deal properly with the man’s application to adapt his property in November 2010. The alterations were needed to create a downstairs bedroom for the complainant, who suffers with a degenerative medical condition and uses a wheelchair.
The application met all the criteria for funding but because the estimated cost was in excess of the statutory maximum grant of £30,000, the council identified an alternative scheme through the county council. This could fund the work at no cost to the council. However, this application was delayed and was ultimately unsuccessful.
As early as October 2011 the housing association offered to top up the £5,000 needed to fund the original build, but the council insisted on pursuing the alternative scheme till as recently as March 2013.
The Ombudsman finds that the council should have considered making a discretionary grant to cover the shortfall in the initial scheme rather than pursuing the no-cost option for an unacceptable length of time.
Daventry District Council has been recommended to apologise to the couple and pay them £5,000 for the stress and anxiety caused. The council has agreed to start work on the alternations to the complainant’s home which should start in August 2013.
The Ombudsman has also recommended that the council reviews its procedures to consider all options – including its own powers to make discretionary payments to top up grants – in cases such as these in future.
Dr Jane Martin, Local Government Ombudsman, said:
“The family has been left in unsuitable accommodation for far more time than necessary because Daventry District Council chose to pursue the money-saving option.
“While I recognise the financial constraints local authorities are under in the current economic climate, I find it unacceptable that this much-needed work has been held up for so long.
“These delays have caused considerable stress and anxiety to both the complainant and his wife and I welcome the fact that the council is now putting in place plans to improve their situation.”
