Purpose

To present to cabinet findings made by the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) in relation to damp at a tenants property

Decision

(a)       That the findings set out in the Public Interest Report for the reasons in the report be accepted;

(b)       That Cabinet welcome that the recommendations contained at paragraph 54 of the report have been completed

1. Within 1 month of the date of this report the Council should:

a)         Acknowledge and apologies to Miss Y for the failings identified in the report.

b)         In addition to the offer of £500 already made by the Council, to offer Miss Y a further financial redress payment of £1,258.  This comprises £1,008 for losses of furniture and possessions and £250 for the distress caused to her by the failings identified in the report, making total redress of £1,758.

c)         Ensure officers from the Housing and Communities department are reminded of the requirement to fully and accurately complete paperwork.

d)         Contact Miss Y to obtain details of any outstanding work to her current home and provide her with a schedule of works detailing when these will be completed.

(c)        Cabinet accept the recommendations at paragraph 55 and note that they are already partially completed

            ii.         Within 3 months of the date of this report the Council should:

e)         Develop a process to ensure that repeated repair requests are identified, recorded and escalated for further investigation ensuring a holistic approach is taken to repair requests.

f)          Develop guidance on the circumstances in which Tenant Liaison Officers should be allocated, ensuring it also undergoes an Equality Impact Assessment prior to implementation.

g)         Develop a more specific decant policy that sets out the actions the Council will take, and the responsibilities of both the Council and the Contract Holder.

h)        Review policies and procedures for conducting and accurately recording pre-letting inspections.