Legion wins support from Local Government Ombudsman
16 June 2011
The Royal British Legion won support from the Local Government Ombudsman this month with a case against Birmingham City Council for non-payment of a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) to one of our beneficiaries. This victory paves the way for seeking intervention on similar cases in future.
Mr Andrews, 80, a Royal Navy veteran, had been unable to climb his stairs or use his bath. He and his wife waited years for Birmingham City Council to help him. His wife, Mrs Andrews, 74, was having to push him up the stairs.
In frustration, Mrs Andrews contacted the local Legion office in Birmingham for help. Glynis Hyster, County Welfare Officer, took on the couple's case. However, despite Glynis's best efforts the Council would still not abide by the law and fund the work.
Eventually, to the great relief of Mr and Mrs Andrews, the Legion paid for a stairlift and shower. Glynis persevered and complained about the Council's treatment of the couple to the Ombudsman. In a matter of weeks, Birmingham City Council agreed they had been in the wrong and refunded the money to the Legion.
Glynis Hyster was delighted that the Andrews eventually got the adaptations they needed and said: "It is pleasing that Birmingham City Council have decided to refund us the cost of the items, it has made the whole procedure seem worthwhile."
Sue Freeth, the Legion's Director of Health and Welfare, said: "This is a great result. Birmingham Council will take the Legion and our beneficiaries seriously now.
"It is especially satisfying as this is the first time we have taken a complaint to the Ombudsman. It is quite obvious that the Council would not have paid up without the Ombudsman's involvement. It just shows what can be achieved and I hope that is the first of many such victories."
