In May 2005 the Ombudsman accepted a complaint from a prisoner (Mr C) against the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) about his dissatisfaction with their handling of his application to transfer to an open prison. In a subsequent complaint against the SPS, Mr C complained of delay and other administrative shortcomings in the handling of his compassionate visit application by HMP Peterhead and HMP Dumfries. Both complaints were handled together and the combined investigation is the subject of this report.
South of Scotland
Argyll and Bute Council
The complainant (Mrs C) complained to our office that the Council failed to respond to her complaints to them about issues concerning the education of her son. She alleged that, despite attempting to raise her concerns with the Council, they failed to consider her complaint in line with their formal complaints procedure.
The complaint relates to the sale of land owned by the Council, which subsequently restricted Mr and Mrs C's access to their former home which they rented from the Council. Mr and Mrs C decided to move into another council house but were unhappy that this move affected their discount entitlement and their right to buy the new property.
The Highland Council
The complainant raised concerns about the advice she had been given about the listing status of her property and about the work carried out on her property.
Scottish Borders Council - The complaint concerned the Council's handling of a planning application for a new housing development in the village where Mr C lived. The complaint also concerned the Council's handling of the Local Plan for the village. The complaint was not upheld.
Inverclyde Council - complaint from Mr C about the Inverclyde Council's (the Council) proposals to reorganise secondary education in the Inverclyde area.
Highland NHS Board - complaint concerns a woman (referred to in this report as Mrs C) who claimed that Highland NHS Board (referred to in this report as the Board) had failed in their care of her grandmother (referred to in this report as Mrs A) while a patient in Portree Hospital (the Hospital), Portree from 23 December 2004 until her death on 1 March 2005.
South Ayrshire Council - 2. Mr C complained about the closure of public toilets in Ayr by the Council and, in particular, the recent closure of a public toilet at X Road. Mr C was concerned that the closure of such facilities was not in the interests of public health and that the Council had not considered the needs of the community, including the disabled, when reaching its decision.
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar - complaint was from Ms C against Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (the Council), concerning the way in which they handled two planning applications she had submitted earlier in the year.
The Highland Council - complaint was from Mrs C about the way in which The Highland Council (the Council) dealt with two planning applications for sites close to her home. She alleged that they failed to protect the amenity of listed buildings within the vicinity of the development area or to respect the sensitive nature of a near-by ancient monument.