Overview
The complainants (Mr and Mrs C) raised concerns about the actions of Perth and Kinross Council (the Council) following it being identified that the land on which their home is situated might be contaminated.
Specific complaints and conclusions
The complaints which have been investigated are that the Council:
- (a) failed to respond in a timely manner to correspondence from Mr and Mrs C and their solicitors and to include them in relevant meetings (partially upheld); and
- (b) failed efficiently to handle arrangements for Mr and Mrs C's temporary decant to enable demolition of their home, remediation of the land, and a replacement house to be constructed (partially upheld to the extent that the Council could have acted earlier to confirm decant arrangements).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommended that the Council review the circumstances of this complaint to ascertain whether guidelines should be produced for dealing with future similar circumstances.
The Council have accepted the recommendation and have started a process of review.