Corrine's letter to us about the Local Government Ombudsman
The LGO York office in 2003 found in favour of Manchester City Council, one of whose officials namely [D], arranged for the Police to force entry into my home by informing the officer that "she knew I had a history of collapsing" to gain his concern and enter my bungalow. My Doctor's report states I do not have a history of collapsing. As the LGO found in favour of MCC, a pattern of intimidation and harassments developed and each time I contacted the LGO I was repeatedly told that the case had been dealt with and I was producing no new evidence (even though I was).
The most recent incident was when MCC suspended my housing benefit without any warning or justification. I went through the 4 stages of the Complaints procedure. Then contacted the LGO Coventry office. Richard Barnwell was the investigator allocated to my case. He closed the investigation by saying that no injustice through mal-administration had occurred because the council had reinstated the housing benefit. This incident began in May 2007.
I have recently attended the High Court, Ref: CO/9308/2007 and produced a Rent Statement from Southway Housing Trust which took over the stock transfer on 26.11.07 against all my protests to the Court for this transfer to be suspended until my case was fully dealt with. This rent statement included the suspension of housing benefit which means that the LGO are not upholding my rights under the Human Rights Act 98.
I am in the process of appealing against costs, and a restraining order which has been requested by LGO Coventry office and MCC and was granted by Justice Cranston.
Thanks for allowing me to write this message.
Corrine