Overview
Mr C worked for a charity which helped disabled people to buy their own home. He complained, on behalf of Mrs A, that changes in Aberdeenshire Council (the Council)'s policy on Housing Improvement Grants were unreasonable and had disadvantaged Mrs A. Mrs A had made an application for a grant to help her build an extension to her property and Mr C also complained about the length of time it had taken the Council to progress Mrs A's application.
Specific complaints and conclusions
The complaints which have been investigated are that:
- (a) the Council's changes in their grants award policy were unreasonable (upheld); and
- (b) there was undue delay in processing Mrs A's grant application (not upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommends that the Council:
- (i) ensure that, where significant changes to policy are being made, advice on the legal implications of those changes is appropriately taken and recorded; and
- (ii) provide Mr C and the Ombudsman with comments on their current policy on Housing Improvement Grants in the light of the applicable legislation.
The Council have accepted the recommendations and will act on them accordingly.