Making Complaints to City Council/Ombudsman.

[manwithaview]

I am hoping to make a complaint to Sheffield City Council, then to the Local Govt Ombudsman, does anyone have experiences to share of how they got on, etc.

[Narden Dee]

I am hoping to make a complaint to Sheffield City Council, then to the Local Govt Ombudsman, does anyone have experiences to share of how they got on, etc.

 

as far as im aware you can only go to the ombudsmen if the council have failed to deal with the complaint adequately.

 

this thread will probably turn into the usual council bashing thread about how uselss they are etc etc but ive had good outcomes and even when they havent agreed they have at least given me a decent reason as to why.

 

whats the complaint about? ( broad rough area rather than exact details) as that may also have an effect on what how your complaint will be dealt with.

[cgksheff]

Would you not "hope" that your complaint would be resolved without going to ombudsman?

[manwithaview]

'fairer charging guidance, DOH funding guidelines/formula for how much sick and disabled people pay towards their care, much of the public is not aware that they pay anything, never mind many tens of pounds.The formula is national but discretionary.

[BHRemovals]

The ombudsman system is a joke it was brought in by Tony Blair as a substitute for legal aid and Lawyers, I've never heard of anyone going to prison for lying to an ombudsman.

[Localman]

The ombudsman system is a joke it was brought in by Tony Blair as a substitute for legal aid and Lawyers.

 

The Local Government Ombudsman was actually established as a result of the Local Government Act 1972 when Edward Heath was Prime Minister. [The records suggest that Tony Blair was a university student at this time]. The provisions of the 1972 Act came in to force in April 1974.

 

Given your care-free and (having looked at a few of your other posts) blinkered approach to the facts, you will not be surprised that I have not put you on the tender list for my next removals!

 

---------- Post added 01-09-2016 at 17:59 ----------

 

I am hoping to make a complaint to Sheffield City Council, then to the Local Govt Ombudsman, does anyone have experiences to share of how they got on, etc.

 

Yes, I do have experience of taking a complaint to the Ombudsman.

 

The Ombudsman will not consider your complaint until you have exhausted the councils's complaints' procedure.

 

For Sheffield City Council, you can find information about Complaints at:

https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/your-city-council/how-to-contact-us/complaint.html

 

In any event, you might want to ask your local Councillor for advice/assistance on resolving the issues. To find your councillor, go to:

https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/your-city-council/roles-who/councillors.html

[Bob Arctor]

I am hoping to make a complaint to Sheffield City Council, then to the Local Govt Ombudsman, does anyone have experiences to share of how they got on, etc.

 

You may be better off trying to find out whether SCC have ever actually pursued anyone through the courts for non-payment of the charges. There are some people who have never paid who have never been taken to court. Remember, SCC still have to meet your eligible needs whether or not you pay the charges although if you get a direct payment they will deduct the charge at source.

 

You may find this useful https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0ahUKEwjsno7Tq_DOAhVEGsAKHf3nCT8QFggmMAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.local.gov.uk%2Fdocuments%2F10180%2F5756320%2FDebt%2Bimplementation%2Btoolkit%2F4734a33a-6a1f-4b82-b439-0ce38b6d86c2&usg=AFQjCNEiP4Rv2UTj9WlyZCx-nZ6XgnYx6Q&cad=rja

Edited September 2, 2016 by Bob Arctor

[Rosemary]

The other thing to keep in mind is that the LGO will only look at whether the council have acted procedurally correctly, or whether there has been 'maladministration'. The Fairer Charging Guidance is, as you rightly say, a national framework with local discretion allowed; there is very little that's 'fair' about it, but the LGO won't comment on the 'fairness' of what the council chooses to charge people, just whether the decisions have been made within the relevant policies and procedures. Unfortunately the council can charge you a large amount for your care, while sticking within the guidelines.

 

If you want to complain, you need to identify exactly the point on which you think they have fallen foul of what they should be doing. It won't get far if it's a general gripe about being too much.

 

If you want to make a challenge to the LA's decisions on how to apply fairer charging generally, I'd say you'd be better lobbying your councillor and / or MP as it's a policy issue really. Not sure how much joy you would have though, social care are on their knees and really have very few options on how to keep their head above water (thanks to central government). Maximising income from care contributions is one strand of how they are trying to deal with that. It sucks for the people who are having to fork out a huge chunk of their income to pay for their care.

[manwithaview]

Thanks, i am aware that SCC is experiencing massive budget cuts, but i am also aware of the arbitrary way that it determines how much any individual has to pay, i am very aware of very affluent people paying very little while very poor have to pay 100 pounds, thats not equitable. The formula also means that those who have private means, pensions, etc, pay much less than those on means tested incomes.

[Rosemary]

Oh yes, its completely unfair and not an equitable system at all. I'm not suggesting otherwise. I'm just saying (in relation to your original question) that it is not the role of the ombudsman to make a judgement on the fairness of a system, just whether the council has followed the process properly. Doesn't matter if the process sucks in the first place, that is not their concern......