Housing allocations policy and scheme

38. Right to appeal

1. 38.1. Any applicant to Great Yarmouth Borough Council's Housing Register has a right to make an appeal if they disagree with a decision made by the Council, such as disqualifying them from registration, or the banding awarded.
2. 38.2. All requests for appeal must be made in writing (including email) to the Allocations and Assessment Team Leader within 21 days of being notified of the decision which is being appealed. In exceptional cases, the Team Leader can extend the timescale for requesting a review. The request can be made by the applicant's representative where the applicant has explicitly confirmed in writing that they authorise the representative to act on their behalf. At the discretion of the Team Leader, information in support of the appeal can be made as verbal representations either recorded by the applicant or at an agreed meeting where the Council will take notes to capture the applicant's representations. Unless it is agreed that verbal representations can be provided, the request for appeal should include: 
   • details of what decision is being appealed
   • an explanation of why the Council's decision is wrong
   • details of any changes in their circumstances which are material to the original decision
   • additional information which was not originally provided in the housing application which is relevant
   • any letters of support (if applicable)
3. 38.3. The appeal will be carried out by a reviewing officer who shall be an officer who is senior to the original decision maker and will most likely be a Team Leader. In all cases the reviewing officer will have relevant knowledge and will have had no prior involvement in the original decision.
4. 38.4. As part of the appeal, the reviewing officer shall consider the information in the applicant's original application, the information provided in the review request, the Council's Housing Allocations Policy and Scheme and any relevant legislation or legal requirements. The reviewing officer may seek additional information or clarification of a particular point from the applicant to inform their review, such requests will be made in writing (including email). The appeal will be completed within 40 working days, unless the applicant has previously been advised in writing that an extension is required and the reasons for such an extension.
5. 38.5. The applicant will be notified in writing of the outcome of the appeal and the reasons for the decision being made.
6. 38.6. If still unhappy with the outcome of the appeal, the applicant may make a complaint to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.
7. 38.7. Where an offer of accommodation has been made to discharge the prevention, relief or main homelessness duty, this will be subject to a different review process.