Duty of care and contact procedures

The request was successful.

Dear Dudley Council,

Please provide the official methods the council must follow under government legislation/rules/laws regarding the following.

1. Dealing with vulnerable customers

2 legal standing regarding 12 year old debts

3. Using discretion for Customers who are vulnerable, suffering financial difficulty and financial hardship

4. Actions taken after reports of Child welfare concerns

5. What measures are put in place to prevent a complaintiffs contact with the complainee

6. Misfearscance and malfeasance complaints

7. Primary carer rights after a relationship breakdown

8. Actions taken on tenancy fraud

9. Legal obligations regarding bereaved parents

10. What the council offers under the victims code

11. Who is The most superior highest ranking staff member within the council

12 . Compensation policy and contact details for claims from the general public

please note I welcome assistance guidance and/or Any advice on this request if you think there are other ways.

Yours faithfully,

MR R.G.BURGOYNE

Information Governance, Dudley Council

1 Attachment

 

Dear Mr Burgoyne,

 

Freedom Of Information Act 2000 - Information Request 29377

 

I acknowledge your request for information received on 12/08/2022.

 

Your request

 

Please provide the official methods the council must follow under
government legislation/rules/laws regarding the following.

 

1.  Dealing with vulnerable customers

2  legal standing regarding 12 year old debts

3. Using discretion for Customers who are vulnerable, suffering financial
difficulty and financial hardship

4. Actions taken after reports of Child welfare concerns

5.  What measures are put in place to prevent a complaintiffs contact with
the complainee

6. Misfearscance and malfeasance complaints

7. Primary carer rights after a relationship breakdown

8. Actions taken on tenancy fraud

9. Legal obligations regarding bereaved parents

10. What the council offers under the victims code

11. Who is The most superior highest ranking staff member within the
council

12 . Compensation policy and contact details for claims from the general
public

 

Unfortunately I cannot identify the information you have requested from
the details you have provided.  To help me meet your request could you
please clarify which service areas your questions are directed towards.

 

If the Council does not receive the requested clarification by the
26/08/2022 I shall take it that you do not wish to pursue this request and
will consider the request closed.

 

Your request will be processed upon receipt of this information and you
will receive the information requested within the statutory timescale of
20 working days as defined by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

 

For your information, the Act defines a number of exemptions which may
prevent release of the information you have requested.  There will be an
assessment and if any of the exemption categories apply then it cannot be
released.  Similarly if the information you request contains reference to
a third party then they may be consulted prior to a decision being taken
on whether or not to release the information to you.  You will be informed
if this is the case.

 

If appropriate, the information may be provided in paper copy, normal font
size. If you require alternative formats, e.g. language, audio, large
print, etc. then please let me know.

 

There may a fee payable for this information.  This will be considered and
you will be informed of the fee payable if this is the case.  In this
event the fee must be paid before the information is processed and
released.  The 20 day time limit for responses is put on hold until
receipt of the payment.

 

If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your
request and wish to make a comment or complaint, or request a review of
the decision, you should write to the Data Protection Officer at Dudley
MBC, The Council House, Dudley, West Midlands, DY1 1HF, telephone 0300 555
2345, e-mail [1][Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council request email]. 

 

Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future
communications.

 

If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint, you may apply
directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision.  Generally, the
ICO cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted the complaints
procedure provided by Dudley MBC.

 

The Information Commissioner may be contacted at:

 

Information Commissioner's Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow 

Cheshire 

SK9 5AF

Telephone:   01625 545 700

[2]www.ico.org.uk

 

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Julie Knowles
Information Governance Monitoring Officer

Corporate Information Governance
Finance & Legal
Dudley Council 
The Council House, 1 Priory Road, Dudley, DY1 1HF
01384 815521
[3]www.dudley.gov.uk

 

This Email and any attachments contains confidential information and is
intended solely for the individual to whom it is addressed. If this Email
has been misdirected, please notify the author as soon as possible. If
this email has a protective marking of OFFICIAL – SENSITIVE, PROTECT or
RESTRICTED in its title or contents, the information within must be
subject to appropriate safeguards to protect against unauthorised or
unlawful processing and against accidental loss or destruction or damage.
OFFICIAL – SENSITIVE, PROTECT and RESTRICTED information should only be
further shared where there is a legitimate need. If you are not the
intended recipient you must not disclose, distribute, copy, print or rely
on any of the information contained, and all copies must be deleted
immediately. Whilst we take reasonable steps to try to identify any
software viruses, any attachments to this e-mail may nevertheless contain
viruses which our anti- virus software has failed to identify. You should
therefore carry out your own anti-virus checks before opening any
documents. Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council will not accept any
liability for damage caused by computer viruses emanating from any
attachment or other document supplied with this e-mail.

Please consider the environment - do you need to print this e-mail?

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council request email]
2. http://www.ico.org.uk/
3. Open Dudley MBC website
https://www.dudley.gov.uk/

Information Governance, Dudley Council

Information Governance would like to recall the message, "Duty of care and contact procedures DMBCIR:29377 ".

This Email and any attachments contains confidential information and is intended solely for the individual to whom it is addressed. If this Email has been misdirected, please notify the author as soon as possible. If this email has a protective marking of OFFICIAL – SENSITIVE, PROTECT or RESTRICTED in its title or contents, the information within must be subject to appropriate safeguards to protect against unauthorised or unlawful processing and against accidental loss or destruction or damage. OFFICIAL – SENSITIVE, PROTECT and RESTRICTED information should only be further shared where there is a legitimate need. If you are not the intended recipient you must not disclose, distribute, copy, print or rely on any of the information contained, and all copies must be deleted immediately. Whilst we take reasonable steps to try to identify any software viruses, any attachments to this e-mail may nevertheless contain viruses which our anti- virus software has failed to identify. You should therefore carry out your own anti-virus checks before opening any documents. Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council will not accept any liability for damage caused by computer viruses emanating from any attachment or other document supplied with this e-mail.

Please consider the environment - do you need to print this e-mail?

Dudley Triggers, Dudley Council

Dear R G Burgoyne,

Information Access Request - Information Request DMBCIR:29377
Description : Duty of care and contact procedures

I acknowledge your request for information received on 2022-08-12
15:52:00.

Your request is being considered and you will receive the information
requested within the statutory timescale of 20 working days (Freedom of
Information Act 2000/Environmental Information Regulations) or 1 month
from receipt (Data Protection access requests).

For your information, the Acts and Regulations define a number of
exemptions which may prevent release of the information you have
requested. There will be an assessment and if any of the exemption
categories apply then the information may not be released. In some
circumstances the decision to release information, or not, will be based
on a public interest test. You will be advised of any considerations,
subsequent decisions and your rights of appeal.

If the information you request contains reference to a third party then
they may be consulted prior to a decision being taken on whether or not to
release the information to you. You will be informed if this is the case,
including your rights of appeal.

Unless otherwise requested the information may be provided in electronic
format, paper copy, normal font size. If you require alternative formats,
e.g. language, audio, large print, etc. then please let me know.

There may be a fee payable for this information. This will be considered
and you will be informed if a fee is payable. In this event the fee must
be paid before the information is processed and released. The time limit
for responses is suspended until receipt of the payment.

If you have any queries or concerns then please contact the Information
Governance Officer at Dudley MBC, The Council House, Dudley, West
Midlands, DY1 1HF, telephone 0300 555 8283, e-mail
[Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council request email] .

Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future
communications.

Most of the information that we provide in response to Freedom of
Information/Environmental Information requests will be subject to
copyright protection. In most cases the copyright will be owned by Dudley
MBC. The copyright in other information may be owned by another person or
organisation, as indicated in the information itself. You are free to use
any information supplied for your own use, including for non-commercial
research purposes. The information may also be used for the purposes of
news reporting. However, any other type of re-use, for example, by
publishing the information or issuing copies to the public will require
the permission of the copyright owner.

For information where the copyright is owned by the Council details of the
conditions on re-use can be found on our website at www.dudley.gov.uk.

For information where the copyright is owned by another person or
organisation, you must apply to the copyright owner to obtain their
permission.

Yours sincerely,

The Information Governance Team
Council House
Priory Road
Dudley
West Midlands
DY1 1HF
[Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council request email]

Dear Dudley Council,

Thankyou Kindly acknowledging and apologies for not being very clear, hope this is more sufficient, please provide Dudley councils policies and government statutory duties /guidelines regarding Housing.

1. Dealing with vulnerable customers

2 12 year old debts

3. Using discretion for Customers who are vulnerable, suffering financial difficulty and financial hardship

4, safeguarding domestic abuse victims and child welfare concerns

5. Complaints about staff and personal involvements

6. Misfearscance and malfeasance complaints handling process

7. Primary carer rights after a relationship breakdown

8. Actions taken on tenancy fraud

9. Legal obligations regarding helping bereaved parents

10. What the council offers under the victims code

11. Who is The most superior highest ranking staff member within the council

12 . Compensation policy and contact details for claims from the general public

13. Head of Dispute resolution contact to resolve without prejudice.

Yours faithfully,
MR R BURGOYNE
Justice4Dad

Information Governance, Dudley Council

1 Attachment

Dear Mr Burgoyne,

 

Freedom Of Information Act 2000 - Information Request 29377

 

I acknowledge your request for information received on 12/08/2022. And
clarification received 17/08/2022. Within your request you asked:

 

Thankyou Kindly acknowledging and apologies for not being very clear, hope
this is more sufficient,

 

Please provide Dudley councils policies and government statutory duties
/guidelines regarding Housing.

 

1. Dealing with vulnerable customers

2 12 year old debts

3. Using discretion for Customers who are vulnerable, suffering financial
difficulty and financial hardship

4, safeguarding domestic abuse victims and child welfare concerns

5. Complaints about staff and personal involvements

6. Misfearscance and malfeasance complaints handling process

7. Primary carer rights after a relationship breakdown

8. Actions taken on tenancy fraud

9. Legal obligations regarding helping bereaved parents

10. What the council offers under the victims code

11. Who is The most superior highest ranking staff member within the
council

12 . Compensation policy and contact details for claims from the general
public

13. Head of Dispute resolution contact to resolve without prejudice.

 

Unfortunately I cannot identify the information you have requested from
the details you have provided.  To help me meet your request could you
please clarify the following points in relation to the Questions below:

 

1. Dealing with vulnerable customers (Please can you clarify in what
respect)

 

2 12 year old debts (Please can you clarify in what respect)

 

3. Using discretion for Customers who are vulnerable, suffering financial
difficulty and financial hardship (Please can you clarify in what respect)

 

5. Complaints about staff and personal involvements (Please can you
clarify, personal involvements in general or regarding you the requestor)

 

7. Primary carer rights after a relationship breakdown (Please can you
clarify as we need to establish in relation to what)

 

12 . Compensation policy and contact details for claims from the general
public (Please can you clarify compensation for what in order for us to
direct the question to the relevant service area)

 

13. Head of Dispute resolution contact to resolve without prejudice.
(Please can you clarify what type of dispute)

 

If the Council does not receive the requested clarification by the
15/09/2022 I shall take it that you do not wish to pursue this request
and will consider the request closed.

 

Your request will be processed upon receipt of this information and you
will receive the information requested within the statutory timescale of
20 working days as defined by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

 

For your information, the Act defines a number of exemptions which may
prevent release of the information you have requested.  There will be an
assessment and if any of the exemption categories apply then it cannot be
released.  Similarly if the information you request contains reference to
a third party then they may be consulted prior to a decision being taken
on whether or not to release the information to you.  You will be informed
if this is the case.

 

If appropriate, the information may be provided in paper copy, normal font
size. If you require alternative formats, e.g. language, audio, large
print, etc. then please let me know.

 

There may a fee payable for this information.  This will be considered and
you will be informed of the fee payable if this is the case.  In this
event the fee must be paid before the information is processed and
released.  The 20 day time limit for responses is put on hold until
receipt of the payment.

 

If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your
request and wish to make a comment or complaint, or request a review of
the decision, you should write to the Data Protection Officer at Dudley
MBC, The Council House, Dudley, West Midlands, DY1 1HF, telephone 0300 555
2345, e-mail [1][Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council request email]. 

 

Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future
communications.

 

If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint, you may apply
directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision.  Generally, the
ICO cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted the complaints
procedure provided by Dudley MBC.

 

Information Commissioner's Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Telephone: 0303 123 1113

[2]www.ico.org.uk        

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Mandy Fennell
Senior Information Governance Officer

Corporate Information Governance
Finance & Legal
Dudley Council 
Council House, 1 Priory Road, Dudley, DY1 1HF
01384 814696
[3]www.dudley.gov.uk

 

This Email and any attachments contains confidential information and is
intended solely for the individual to whom it is addressed. If this Email
has been misdirected, please notify the author as soon as possible. If
this email has a protective marking of OFFICIAL – SENSITIVE, PROTECT or
RESTRICTED in its title or contents, the information within must be
subject to appropriate safeguards to protect against unauthorised or
unlawful processing and against accidental loss or destruction or damage.
OFFICIAL – SENSITIVE, PROTECT and RESTRICTED information should only be
further shared where there is a legitimate need. If you are not the
intended recipient you must not disclose, distribute, copy, print or rely
on any of the information contained, and all copies must be deleted
immediately. Whilst we take reasonable steps to try to identify any
software viruses, any attachments to this e-mail may nevertheless contain
viruses which our anti- virus software has failed to identify. You should
therefore carry out your own anti-virus checks before opening any
documents. Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council will not accept any
liability for damage caused by computer viruses emanating from any
attachment or other document supplied with this e-mail.

Please consider the environment - do you need to print this e-mail?

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council request email]
2. http://www.ico.org.uk/
3. Open Dudley MBC website
https://www.dudley.gov.uk/

Information Governance, Dudley Council

Information Governance would like to recall the message, "Duty of care and contact procedures DMBCIR:29377 ".

This Email and any attachments contains confidential information and is intended solely for the individual to whom it is addressed. If this Email has been misdirected, please notify the author as soon as possible. If this email has a protective marking of OFFICIAL – SENSITIVE, PROTECT or RESTRICTED in its title or contents, the information within must be subject to appropriate safeguards to protect against unauthorised or unlawful processing and against accidental loss or destruction or damage. OFFICIAL – SENSITIVE, PROTECT and RESTRICTED information should only be further shared where there is a legitimate need. If you are not the intended recipient you must not disclose, distribute, copy, print or rely on any of the information contained, and all copies must be deleted immediately. Whilst we take reasonable steps to try to identify any software viruses, any attachments to this e-mail may nevertheless contain viruses which our anti- virus software has failed to identify. You should therefore carry out your own anti-virus checks before opening any documents. Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council will not accept any liability for damage caused by computer viruses emanating from any attachment or other document supplied with this e-mail.

Please consider the environment - do you need to print this e-mail?

Information Governance, Dudley Council

1 Attachment

Dear Mr Burgoyne,

 

Freedom Of Information Act 2000 - Information Request 29377

 

I acknowledge your request for information received on 12/08/2022. And
clarification received 17/08/2022.

 

Please ignore the email that has been sent to you as you have already
provided sufficient clarification to process your request for information.
A further response is not required.

 

Your request is still being processed and you will receive a response
before or on the 15/09/2022.

 

Please accept my sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused.

 

Yours sincerely,

Mandy Fennell
Senior Information Governance Officer

Corporate Information Governance
Finance & Legal
Dudley Council 
Council House, 1 Priory Road, Dudley, DY1 1HF
01384 814696
[1]www.dudley.gov.uk

 

From: Information Governance
Sent: 01 September 2022 16:17
To: '[FOI #886531 email]'
<[FOI #886531 email]>
Subject: Duty of care and contact procedures DMBCIR:29377

 

Dear Mr Burgoyne,

 

Freedom Of Information Act 2000 - Information Request 29377

 

I acknowledge your request for information received on 12/08/2022. And
clarification received 17/08/2022. Within your request you asked:

 

Thankyou Kindly acknowledging and apologies for not being very clear, hope
this is more sufficient,

 

Please provide Dudley councils policies and government statutory duties
/guidelines regarding Housing.

 

1. Dealing with vulnerable customers

2 12 year old debts

3. Using discretion for Customers who are vulnerable, suffering financial
difficulty and financial hardship

4, safeguarding domestic abuse victims and child welfare concerns

5. Complaints about staff and personal involvements

6. Misfearscance and malfeasance complaints handling process

7. Primary carer rights after a relationship breakdown

8. Actions taken on tenancy fraud

9. Legal obligations regarding helping bereaved parents

10. What the council offers under the victims code

11. Who is The most superior highest ranking staff member within the
council

12 . Compensation policy and contact details for claims from the general
public

13. Head of Dispute resolution contact to resolve without prejudice.

 

Unfortunately I cannot identify the information you have requested from
the details you have provided.  To help me meet your request could you
please clarify the following points in relation to the Questions below:

 

1. Dealing with vulnerable customers (Please can you clarify in what
respect)

 

2 12 year old debts (Please can you clarify in what respect)

 

3. Using discretion for Customers who are vulnerable, suffering financial
difficulty and financial hardship (Please can you clarify in what respect)

 

5. Complaints about staff and personal involvements (Please can you
clarify, personal involvements in general or regarding you the requestor)

 

7. Primary carer rights after a relationship breakdown (Please can you
clarify as we need to establish in relation to what)

 

12 . Compensation policy and contact details for claims from the general
public (Please can you clarify compensation for what in order for us to
direct the question to the relevant service area)

 

13. Head of Dispute resolution contact to resolve without prejudice.
(Please can you clarify what type of dispute)

 

If the Council does not receive the requested clarification by the
15/09/2022 I shall take it that you do not wish to pursue this request and
will consider the request closed.

 

Your request will be processed upon receipt of this information and you
will receive the information requested within the statutory timescale of
20 working days as defined by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

 

For your information, the Act defines a number of exemptions which may
prevent release of the information you have requested.  There will be an
assessment and if any of the exemption categories apply then it cannot be
released.  Similarly if the information you request contains reference to
a third party then they may be consulted prior to a decision being taken
on whether or not to release the information to you.  You will be informed
if this is the case.

 

If appropriate, the information may be provided in paper copy, normal font
size. If you require alternative formats, e.g. language, audio, large
print, etc. then please let me know.

 

There may a fee payable for this information.  This will be considered and
you will be informed of the fee payable if this is the case.  In this
event the fee must be paid before the information is processed and
released.  The 20 day time limit for responses is put on hold until
receipt of the payment.

 

If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your
request and wish to make a comment or complaint, or request a review of
the decision, you should write to the Data Protection Officer at Dudley
MBC, The Council House, Dudley, West Midlands, DY1 1HF, telephone 0300 555
2345, e-mail [2][Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council request email]. 

 

Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future
communications.

 

If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint, you may apply
directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision.  Generally, the
ICO cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted the complaints
procedure provided by Dudley MBC.

 

Information Commissioner's Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Telephone: 0303 123 1113

[3]www.ico.org.uk        

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Mandy Fennell
Senior Information Governance Officer

Corporate Information Governance
Finance & Legal
Dudley Council 
Council House, 1 Priory Road, Dudley, DY1 1HF
01384 814696
[4]www.dudley.gov.uk

 

This Email and any attachments contains confidential information and is
intended solely for the individual to whom it is addressed. If this Email
has been misdirected, please notify the author as soon as possible. If
this email has a protective marking of OFFICIAL – SENSITIVE, PROTECT or
RESTRICTED in its title or contents, the information within must be
subject to appropriate safeguards to protect against unauthorised or
unlawful processing and against accidental loss or destruction or damage.
OFFICIAL – SENSITIVE, PROTECT and RESTRICTED information should only be
further shared where there is a legitimate need. If you are not the
intended recipient you must not disclose, distribute, copy, print or rely
on any of the information contained, and all copies must be deleted
immediately. Whilst we take reasonable steps to try to identify any
software viruses, any attachments to this e-mail may nevertheless contain
viruses which our anti- virus software has failed to identify. You should
therefore carry out your own anti-virus checks before opening any
documents. Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council will not accept any
liability for damage caused by computer viruses emanating from any
attachment or other document supplied with this e-mail.

Please consider the environment - do you need to print this e-mail?

References

Visible links
1. Open Dudley MBC website
https://www.dudley.gov.uk/
2. mailto:[Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council request email]
3. http://www.ico.org.uk/
4. Open Dudley MBC website
https://www.dudley.gov.uk/

Information Governance, Dudley Council

4 Attachments

Dear Mr Burgoyne,

 

Freedom Of Information Act 2000 - Information Request 29377

 

Your request for information received on 12/08/2022 has now been
considered and the information requested is detailed below and attached.

 

You kindly provided clarification for your request on the 17/08/2022
advising that your request was “regarding Housing”.

 

Your Request:

 

“please provide Dudley councils  policies and government statutory duties
/guidelines regarding Housing [for]:

 

1. Dealing with vulnerable customers

 

2 12 year old debts

 

3. Using discretion for Customers who are vulnerable, suffering financial
difficulty and financial hardship

 

4, safeguarding domestic abuse victims and child welfare concerns

 

5. Complaints about staff and personal involvements

 

6. Misfeasance and malfeasance complaints handling process

 

7. Primary carer rights after a relationship breakdown

 

8. Actions taken on tenancy fraud

 

9. Legal obligations regarding helping bereaved parents

 

10. What the council offers under the victims code

 

11. Who is The most superior highest ranking staff member within the
council

 

12 . Compensation policy and contact details for claims from the general
public

 

13. Head of Dispute resolution contact to resolve without prejudice.”

 

Our Response:

 

1. Dealing with vulnerable customers 

 

Housing does not have a specific policy or legislation for dealing with
vulnerable clients.

 

Customers circumstances are assessed and managed on a case-to-case basis.

 

We have a number of services that are available to support people many of
whom may be vulnerable for a variety of reasons, but we do not have a
specific policy.

 

These include:

 

Generic Floating Support Service

Substance Misuse Floating Support Service

Housing First service

Intensive Family Support Service

Employability Service

Telephone Support Service

 

Further information is available on the Council’s website at this link:

[1]https://www.dudley.gov.uk/residents/hous...

 

The Housings Allocations Policy is available to view online at:

[2]https://www.dudley.gov.uk/residents/hous...

 

Occupational Therapy (OT) – This service is covered under the lettings
policy and generally in the staff code of conduct/safeguarding procedures
(attached):

 

Dudley Safeguarding procedures and guidelines are available at this link:

[3]https://dudleysafeguarding.org.uk/

 

 

2. 12-year-old debts 

 

There is no specific policy or rule for 12-year-old debts as described. 
All arrears are dealt with in accordance with the council’s Rent arrears
policy (attached).

 

3. Using discretion for Customers who are vulnerable, suffering financial
difficulty and financial hardship   

 

Vulnerability is not a stand-alone policy, but officers are expected to
have regards to the Equality Act, details of which are available with
guidance at this link:

[4]https://www.gov.uk/guidance/equality-act...

 

Staff are required to exercise sensitivity in their dealing with
vulnerable customers. Some vulnerabilities are addressed specifically in
our partnership working and service provision, for example, the Housing
Support Service, Housing Occupational Therapy, the Domestic Abuse Toolkit,
our partnership working with Domestic Abuse Services, Police Social
Services and alcohol and drug services.

 

The Council has, and exercises its, powers under Section 13A (1c) of the
local Government Finance Act 1992 to, in exceptional circumstances, reduce
the council tax liability of a resident.

A discretionary housing payment can be applied for by residents claiming
benefit who need more help with their housing costs – each case is looked
at individually.

 

4. Safeguarding domestic abuse victims and child welfare concerns

 

The Council’s Domestic Abuse strategy and additional links to information,
support and training etc can be found at:
[5]https://www.dudleysafeandsound.org/domes...

 

In line with Government guidance, the Council’s strategy can also be found
at :

[6]https://www.dudley.gov.uk/residents/care...

 

Statutory guidance and duties re Domestic Abuse, including Children are
available at this link:
[7]https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk...

 

5. Complaints about staff and personal involvements

 

All complaints about staff and personal involvements must go through the
Corporate complaints procedure.  The Council’s Complaints Policy and
Procedure is available to access at this link:

[8]https://www.dudley.gov.uk/council-commun...

 

6. Misfeasance and malfeasance complaints handling process

 

There is no specific document as described.  However, the Corporate
complaints procedure and/or complaint to the LGO is utilised, details of
which are available at this link:

 

[9]https://www.dudley.gov.uk/council-commun...

 

and guidance for Local Authorities at this link:

 

[10]https://www.lgo.org.uk/information-centr...

 

7. Primary carer rights after a relationship breakdown

 

The rights of primary carers after a relationship breakdown is very
complex and involves lots of areas and law and policy. In relation to
Housing Policy we would refer you to the Lettings Policy (attached)

 

Depending on the circumstances various parts of the policy may apply but
in particular section 3 Matrimonial Breakdown (page 13) and Section 9.9
Lodgers left in Occupation (page 32)

 

8. Actions taken on tenancy fraud

 

The Housing Fraud Team investigates allegations of housing fraud, this is
to prove or disprove the allegation.  Investigations are undertaken in a
fair and consistent manner to ensure equality and non-discrimination
practices.  The Housing Fraud Team will consider litigation action and
impose sanctions when fraud has been identified/proven, however, there is
a robust process in place to ensure that any decisions made are deemed,
proportionate, necessary, appropriate and with due regard to the Equality
Act.  The revised Housing Counter Fraud Policy is currently pending
approval. 

 

The currently published Policy is available on the Council’s website at
this link:

[11]https://www.dudley.gov.uk/council-commun...

 

Government legislation on Social Housing Fraud is available at this link:

[12]https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/201...

 

9. Legal obligations regarding helping bereaved parents

 

There is no specific duty towards bereaved parents in any housing policy
other than the cross-cutting Equality Act duty relating to parenthood and
Maternity. However, our expectation is that officers treat bereaved
individuals sensitively while still applying both law and policy in a fair
manner taking into account the needs of all our tenants, applicants, those
to whom we owe a statutory duty (such as homeless assistance).

10. What the council offers under the victims code

 

No specific Policy or guidance held.  If you have been a victim of crime,
you are entitled to information and support from criminal justice
agencies, such as the police, Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Courts
Service and the Probation Service.

 

11. Who is the most superior highest ranking staff member within the
council.

 

Chief Executive Officer - Kevin O’Keefe 

 

The latest published Council Structure chart is available at this link:

[13]https://www.dudley.gov.uk/council-commun...

 

12. Compensation policy and contact details for claims from the general
public

 

The Council does not generally pay compensation and any considerations
would normally be through the Complaints procedure available at this link:

[14]https://www.dudley.gov.uk/council-commun...

 

13. Head of Dispute resolution contact to resolve without prejudice. 

 

In terms of Housing, it would be via the complaints procedure as published
and ultimately via the LGO if resolution could not be achieved via the
complaints process.

The complaints process is available at this link:

 

[15]https://www.dudley.gov.uk/council-commun...

 

Details relating to the Local Government Ombudsman can be located at this
link:

 

[16]https://www.lgo.org.uk/

 

I trust that this information addresses your questions.

 

If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your
request and wish to make a comment or complaint, or request a review of
the decision, you should write to the Freedom of Information Officer at
Dudley MBC, The Council House, Dudley, West Midlands, DY1 1HF, telephone
0300 555 2345, e-mail [Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council request email]. 

 

Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future
communications.

 

If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint, you may apply
directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Generally, the
ICO cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted the complaints
procedure provided by Dudley MBC.

 

The Information Commissioner may be contacted at:

 

Information Commissioner's Office

 

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow 

Cheshire 

SK9 5AF

Telephone:   0303 123 1113

www.ico.org.uk

 

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Mr L J Bourne
Data Protection and Information Governance Manager

Corporate Information Governance
Finance & Legal
Dudley Council 
The Council House, Priory Road, DY1 1HF
01384 815608
[17]www.dudley.gov.uk

 

 

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References

Visible links
1. https://www.dudley.gov.uk/residents/hous...
2. https://www.dudley.gov.uk/residents/hous...
3. https://dudleysafeguarding.org.uk/
4. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/equality-act...
5. https://www.dudleysafeandsound.org/domes...
6. https://www.dudley.gov.uk/residents/care...
7. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk...
8. https://www.dudley.gov.uk/council-commun...
9. https://www.dudley.gov.uk/council-commun...
10. https://www.lgo.org.uk/information-centr...
11. https://www.dudley.gov.uk/council-commun...
12. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/201...
13. https://www.dudley.gov.uk/council-commun...
14. https://www.dudley.gov.uk/council-commun...
15. https://www.dudley.gov.uk/council-commun...
16. https://www.lgo.org.uk/
17. Open Dudley MBC website
https://www.dudley.gov.uk/