A DAMNING report has prompted changes within a local authority's housing department, which resulted in an eviction from a family home of 32 years.

Richmondshire District Council has been ordered to pay compensation of £5,000 to the family.

The council was found to be guilty of ten counts of maladministration in its dealings with Ms Smith in a report by Local Government Ombudsman Patricia Thomas.

The case began when Ms Smith's elderly mother, who was confused, unwell and undergoing treatment for psychiatric problems, surrendered the tenancy of her three-bedroomed home in 1999 when she was admitted to warden-controlled accommodation.

Ms Smith, who lived in the house with her own daughter, was said by doctors also to be vulnerable because of ill health.

She turned down the first offer of alternative accommodation, saying the property was unsuitable.

Her decision was described as reasonable by the housing association that owned the property when it discovered her requirements.

After that, the council accused Ms Smith of becoming intentionally homeless and, according to the Ombudsman, deliberately avoided its responsibilities towards her until she complained last May.

Mrs Thomas said: "The council had a duty to deal with Ms Smith's housing needs in accordance with the law.

"In the event, its actions were so unreasonable that I can only assume they were instigated by malice. The hurt and harm which Ms Smith suffered as a result, in my view justifies substantial compensation."

Two officers and a senior housing officer working in the department at the time have since left the authority while eviction panels have been introduced to ensure each case is examined properly before any action is taken.

In a statement issued by the authority, housing chairman Councillor Richard Dunn said: "We have many new procedures in place to ensure that this sort of incident can never happen again.

"All future evictions must be passed before the panel before any action is taken and all eviction notices will have to be signed personally by the relevant officers.

"As soon as it was aware of the full facts of the case, the council admitted ultimate responsibility and we have been commended by the Ombudsman for the action we have since taken."