The Bloody Council

V_Chic_Chick

kev1n3 wrote:

Well it looks like i'm not alone here.. I'v drafted a letter but not sure if i am able to tone it down any more than i have already. Its hard to write a cool calm letter to the person thats down-rite lieiing to you. I only want them to investigate a complaint withou telling porkies. I'll spend a little more time watering it down tomorrow and maybe a CC to the Chief Executive.

Thanks for all your replies, i dont feel so isolated now.


Happy Christams everyone

Kev

Post it here and I'm sure we'll all be able to pick over it for you

kev1n3

V_Chic_Chick wrote:

Post it here and I'm sure we'll all be able to pick over it for you

That’s really nice of you guys but I don’t think I would want to post such an important letter on the net before I post it to the person its meant for.

If anyone has the time to help me put this thing together via e-mail or message on here, I’d be very grateful. I don’t want to sound un-educated but, it takes me days to put a simple letter together as I have very bad dyslexia. (thank goodness for spell checker) dyslexia can be very embarrassing at times but hope the recipients of my letters will understand.

Thanks again

Kev

IvanOpinion

kev1n3 wrote:

Well it looks like i'm not alone here.. I'v drafted a letter but not sure if i am able to tone it down any more than i have already. Its hard to write a cool calm letter to the person thats down-rite lieiing to you. I only want them to investigate a complaint withou telling porkies. I'll spend a little more time watering it down tomorrow and maybe a CC to the Chief Executive.

Kev, it is not a case of watering the content down, it is a case of making your point in a professional manner by stating facts without wrapping them up in emotion. Do not get fooled into deviating from strict 'facts' ... dates, times and exactly what was said (not what you think they meant).

Too often people use the old 'wheel in the baby' syndrome .. that is usually when I lose interest .. you know the situation they have a problem and then they mention 'but I have a baby' or I have 27 children' ... I usually feel like saying 'congratualtions, but lets stick to the problem we can discuss your fertility some other time'.

Ivan

Poppy9

If you have a few points to make set them out in bullet form. It helps you stick to facts and makes more of an impact.

Gina_of_course!

You may find this site helpful.. it details the 2010 Decent homes standard. Its what all L/A have to work towards..
http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1152136

kellywelly_2

I have have helped people with complaints to the LGO on a few occasions, personally I find them dreadful to deal with, and I know its not just me, check out https://www.ombudsmanwatch.org.uk and make up your own minds.

the_other_mce

Hi,
Just wondering how you were getting on? Have you contacted the LGO or gone through the council complaints procedure yet? Make sure you keep copies of everything - also it helps if you get a signature from a receptionist or someone at the council as proof of receipt on your copy. Don't worry about the standard of your letter writing - you are not the one who will be investigated.....!
Try not to be put off by negative comments about the Local Government Ombudsman - often things don't need to go to them - the initial contact is enough to get things moving in the council. In the case I mentioned the council had resolved the initial problem a couple of months before the LGO's final investigation but they still 'recommended' compensation etc - which was paid out.
Persevere - it WILL be worthwhile...
Good Luck