Ombudsman orders council review

The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) has recommended council staff review their management procedures after partially upholding a man’s complaint about an officer who apparently remonstrated with him in the street.

The man, identified only as Mr C in the SPSO’s ruling, complained that one of Perth and Kinross Council’s housing officers had “unreasonably approached”him in the street and“accused him of causing nuisance”.

He had previously told the local authority about a health issue and had asked them to notify him in advance of any visit.

In a decision report published online, the SPSO said:“We found that Mr C had told the council about a disability, and had asked them to alert him in advance of any visit.

“The council said the officer who approached Mr C did not know who he was when they approached Mr C. We could not prove by means of the evidence available exactly what the officer who approached Mr C knew about the situation.

“We found that the officer was entitled to ask the kind of questions they put to Mr C. We therefore did not uphold this aspect of Mr C’s complaint. However, we noted the officer could have been better informed and prepared in advance of the visit.

“Mr C also said the council failed to follow the correct procedures during investigation.

“We found that the council had in the main done what would be expected in similar situations. However, the council’s tenancy management procedures were not followed, as no case closure letter had been sent. We upheld this aspect of Mr C’s complaint.”

The SPSO recommended the council review its existing tenancy management procedures and/or remind staff of their obligations under those procedures.