Review of Decisions Procedure

If you have applied for assistance to North Norfolk District Council under the Housing Act 1996 (Part VII - Homelessness), the Council have a duty to make reasonable enquiries regarding your circumstances. When the enquiries are complete, a decision will be made on your matter. You will be notified in writing of the Council's decision and the reasons for it.

What can I do if I do not agree with the Council's decision?
If you are not happy with the Council's decision, you have the right under Section 202 of the Housing Act 1996 to request a review of:

• any decision of North Norfolk District Council as to your eligibility for assistance
• any decision of North Norfolk District Council as to what duty is owed
• any decision of North Norfolk District Council to notify another Authority under Section 198 regarding a local connection elsewhere
• any decision as to whether the conditions are met for referring you to another Authority's area
• any decision as to the duty owed on a referral
• any decision of North Norfolk District Council as to the suitability of accommodation offered to you in discharge of our duties.

How do I request a review of a decision?
Any request for a review must be made in writing within 21 days of the date on the letter, which notified you of the decision made by the Council. Only one review can be held per application.
You should address your letter to:
Strategic Housing Manager
North Norfolk District Council
Council Offices, Holt Road
Cromer
Norfolk NR27 9EA

What happens next?
A Review Panel is arranged, and this consists of three Members of the Council. The Council's Solicitor, a representative of the Housing Department and the Committee Administrator will also be present. You are invited to attend, with a legal representative if you have one. This must be arranged within 56 days of the date that you requested the review.

The Council's Solicitor attends to ensure that the hearing is fair and to advise both you (and your legal representative) and the panel accordingly. A representative of the Housing Department attends to advise the panel regarding the decision and the reason the decision was made. The Committee Administrator attends to minute the hearing for documentation purposes.

The panel will listen to both your points and to the evidence of the Housing Department and may ask some questions. It will consider all the evidence put to it and will make a decision on whether the original decision of the Housing Department should be upheld or not.

While they are considering the matter, only the panel, the Solicitor and the Committee Administrator will be present. You will be asked to leave the room and indeed, you will be notified of the decision of the panel in writing within one week. The representative of the Housing Department is also asked to leave the room and will be notified of the decision of the panel in writing from the Council's Solicitor.

Is there anything else I should know?
If, having been informed of the Review Panel's decision, you are still dissatisfied, you can consider making an appeal to the County Court. You may appeal to the County Court on a point of law arising from the original Council's decision.

An appeal must be requested within 21 days of the letter notifying you of the Review Panel's decision.
Should you wish to appeal to the County Court, it is advisable to seek independent legal advice on the matter.

A booklet, called Judicial Board, has been produced by the Council to answer any other questions you may have. You would normally receive a copy when your request for review is being acknowledged, however, if you would like a copy, please contact your Housing Advisory Officer.

If you are in any doubt about the procedure or have any queries relating to any decision, please do not hesitate to contact the Housing Options Service.

Please note, however, that the Housing Options Officer cannot prejudice your forthcoming review hearing so it is possible another Housing Options Officer will deal with your query.

The Housing Options Officers are based at the Council offices at Cromer. You can contact an officer for an appointment on our freephone housing advice line on 08000 855889.

If you should find yourself in need of urgent assistance outside of normal working hours, you may telephone our emergency freephone number, 01223 257482.

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This information can be downloaded in leaflet form in a variety of languages:

| Review of Decisions Procedure (Mandarin - PDF, 106kb) |

| Review of Decisions Procedure (Kurdish - PDF, 122kb) |

| Review of Decisions Procedure (Russian - PDF, 131kb) |

| Download this Review of Decisions Procedure information in leaflet form (English - pdf 86kB) |

| PROCEDURA E RISHIKIMIT TE VENDIMEVE (Albanian - pdf 96.8kB) |

| PROCEDURE DE REVISION DES DECISIONS (French - 102kB) |

| REVISÃO DOS PROCEDIMENTOS DE REVISÕES (Portuguese - pdf 91.6kB) |

| REVISIÓN DEL PROCEDIMIENTO DE DECISIONES TOMADAS (Spanish - pdf 67.4kB) |

| PAMAMARAAN SA PAGBABALIK-ARAL NG MGA DESISYON (Tagalog/Filipino - pdf 18.3kB) |

| KARARLARIN YENIDEN GÖZDEN GEÇIRILME ISLEMI (Turkish - pdf 175kB) |