Deputy Charles Ward has welcomed confirmation from the Office of the Ombudsman that the Defective Concrete Blocks Appeals Panel will now fall under its remit. This is a major step forward for homeowners who have been trapped in the appeal system for years, often facing delays and uncertainty while living in unsafe homes.
While the Appeals Panel remains independent in its decisions, Deputy Ward’s intervention clarifies that the Ombudsman can now examine complaints about administrative actions, including whether the proper procedures were followed.
This ensures a new layer of accountability for a body that has previously been cited as independent, effectively shutting out transparency.
“This is an important step for anyone whose appeal hasn’t been handled correctly,” said Deputy Ward.
“Homeowners now have a clear route to raise concerns and ensure their cases are treated fairly. While the Ombudsman cannot overturn decisions, their oversight means the system cannot operate without scrutiny.”
The Ombudsman’s office will soon add the Appeals Panel to its online complaints system. In the meantime, complaints can be submitted by email.
Deputy Ward confirmed that he will continue exploring every possible avenue to support families affected by defective concrete homes and ensure their safety and wellbeing are protected.
