William Eichler 18 May 2023

Ombudsman to investigate possible failure at London borough

Ombudsman to investigate possible failure at London borough image
Image: tunyawat eakmahasawas / Shutterstock.com.

The Housing Ombudsman is launching an investigation into Hammersmith and Fulham council to see if shortcomings in the local authority’s handling of complaints and repair reports point to wider failure.

The Ombudsman has 13 open cases relating to the London borough that have been assessed as high or medium risk, as well as making 12 findings of severe maladministration across five cases since 1 April 2022.

After further monitoring complaints and receiving reports of delays to repairs and poor communication, the watchdog has said it will investigate and produce a learning report for the council.

Richard Blakeway, Housing Ombudsman, said: ‘After repeated failures in the past year by this landlord, we’ve seen a high number of cases concerning the landlord identified as high or medium risk.

‘Under the circumstances, I’ve asked my team to expedite these investigations.’

Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s strategic director of economy, Jon Pickstone, said: ‘We fully recognise the historic failings in our handling of complaints and repairs in our ageing housing stock.’

He added: ‘We will co-operate fully with the Ombudsman’s investigation and look forward to receiving its report. We will study it closely and act on its recommendations.’

Sign up here to recieve our free daily news and jobs bulletin.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Head of Transformation and Change

York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority
£69,210 - £77,728
The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority was established as a new organisation in early 2024. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority

Head of Business Growth and Innovation

York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority
£69,210 - £77,728
The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority was established as a new organisation in early 2024. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority

Director of Transport

York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority
£100,088 – £110,736
The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority was established as a new organisation in early 2024. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority

Portable Antiquities Scheme Intern

Oxfordshire County Council
£24790 - £24790
About Us This is an exciting time to join the Oxfordshire Museum Service as we continue to develop service structure, and enhance access to our collections and services. Our collection totals 112,000 objects from the palaeolithic era to contemporary coll Witney
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Desktop Support Engineer

West Northamptonshire Council
£34203 - £37067
As a Desktop Support Engineer, you’ll be a key part of our frontline IT support team, ensuring that staff across the council have the tools and assistance they need to work efficiently and effectively. Your work will directly support vital public servic One Angel Square
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council
Linkedin Banner