| Publishing organisation: | Local Government Ombudsman |
| Topic: | Adaptations |
| Determination: | Maladministration causing injustice |
| Tenure: | Applicant |
Organisation:
| Lewes DC |
| Report link: | Click here to view this document |
Ms Martin (not her real name for legal reasons) complained that Lewes District Council delayed in dealing with her application for a disabled facilities grant for adaptations to her home. These were required to meet the needs of her daughter who has physical disabilities. She was aged four at the time that Ms Martin first got in touch with the Council. It took nearly three years for the grant to be processed and agreed.
Ms Martin says that the Council took too long to deal with the grant application, failed to take responsibility for ensuring the funds were provided and failed to liaise effectively with other agencies. As a result, it became increasingly difficult to care for her daughter and manage her needs in an unsuitable home environment. The situation was difficult for the whole family, including her partner and two other daughters.
Determination
The Council, as the lead body, was responsible for some avoidable delay in the grant process. In particular, it failed to take an effective lead at the start and failed to provide clear information to Ms Martin and to partner organisations.
The Ombudsman found maladministration causing injustice and recommended the Council to:
- apologise to Ms Martin
- pay her £1,000 compensation
- review its procedures for working with partner organisations and communicating effectively with them and with applicants