William Eichler 12 July 2024

Tower Hamlets Council apologises for housing backlog

Tower Hamlets Council apologises for housing backlog image
Image: chrisdorney / Shutterstock.com.

Tower Hamlets Council has agreed to review the way it allocates properties after an investigation revealed the council had a long backlog in processing applications to join its housing register.

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman uncovered the backlog while investigating how the council handled an application to be put on the housing register from a local resident.

The borough rejected the woman’s application on the basis that she had not lived in the area long enough but agreed to reconsider on medical grounds after the applicant complained.

The local authority subsequently awarded her a priority band 2B but failed to tell her of her right to seek a review of the decision.

The Ombudsman criticised the council for taking six months to consider the application when the Ombudsman recommends it should have been decided in eight weeks.

A Tower Hamlets Council spokesperson said: ‘We fully accept the report and its findings, and we apologise to Miss X for the upset caused by delays in processing her Housing Register application and initial banding placement.’

To find out more about what local government stakeholders want from the new government, check out our guide, Transforming Local Government: A Strategic Guide for Labour. Download your complimentary copy now!

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Cleaner and Caretaker

North Yorkshire Council
£12.65 - £13.47 per hour
Are you looking for a cleaning role that is a little different? Ripon, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Cleaner and Caretaker

North Yorkshire Council
£12.65 - £13.47 per hour
Are you looking for a cleaning role that is a little different? Bradley, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Specialist Customer Service Officer

Oxfordshire County Council
£31,537 - £34,434 per annum
Are you passionate about helping others and making a real impact in your community? We’re looking for Specialist Customer Service Officers to join our dynamic Contact Centre team, the first point of contact for a wide range of essential services acros Oxfordshire County Council , County Hall, Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Cook

North Yorkshire Council
£13.47 - £14.13 per hour
Are you keen to join a friendly team who are committed to making a real impact in their local community? Lancaster, Lancashire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Catering Assistant

North Yorkshire Council
£12.65 - £12.65 per hour
We have an opportunity to join our award-winning Facilities Management catering team. North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner