16 Sept 2008
Because the decision on the claim was made before the review, there was no continuing unreasonable delay and the Reviewer lacked power to quash or require reconsideration once the decision had been made; s134(1)(b) applies to ongoing delay and any reviewer relief under s145(3)(d)-(e) requires delay to persist, therefore the appeal is dismissed as moot.
3 Oct 2006
The Appeal Authority was correct to allow the chief executive to defend the accommodation supplement overpayment on the basis of conjugal status because the appeal is against the original delegate's decision and is "by way of rehearing," permitting the Authority to determine the matter afresh and to receive evidence not confined to the reasons relied on by the benefits review committee; the benefits review committee's favourable finding on conjugal status does not estop the chief executive or amount to an absolute bar on raising the issue on appeal given the statutory review powers under s81…