Matters for which scheme must provide
2(1)A scheme shall not be approved for the purposes of this Schedule unless it makes provision for—
1The establishment or appointment of an independent person to administer the scheme.
2The criteria for membership for—
(a)social landlords under a duty to be members of an approved scheme, and
(b)other persons.
3The manner of becoming or ceasing to be a member.
4The matters about which complaints may be made under the scheme.
5The grounds on which a matter may be excluded from investigation, including that the matter is the subject of court proceedings or was the subject of court proceedings where judgment on the merits was given.
6The descriptions of individual who may make a complaint under the scheme.
7The appointment of an independent individual to be the housing ombudsman under the scheme.
8The appointment of staff to administer the scheme and to assist the housing ombudsman and the terms upon which they are appointed.
9A duty of the housing ombudsman to investigate any complaint duly made and not withdrawn, and a power to investigate any complaint duly made but withdrawn, and where he investigates to make a determination.
10A power of the housing ombudsman to propose alternative methods of resolving a dispute.
11The powers of the housing ombudsman for the purposes of his investigations, and the procedure to be followed in the conduct of investigations.
12The powers of the housing ombudsman on making a determination.
13The making and publication of annual reports by the housing ombudsman on the discharge of his functions.
14The manner in which determinations are to be—
(a)communicated to the complainant and the person against whom the complaint was made, and
(b)published.
15The manner in which the expenses of the scheme are to be defrayed by the members.
16The keeping and auditing of accounts and the submission of accounts to the Secretary of State.
17The making of annual reports on the administration of the scheme.
18The manner of amending the scheme.
(2)The Secretary of State may by order amend sub-paragraph (1) by adding to or deleting from it any item or by varying any item for the time being contained in it.
(3)An order under sub-paragraph (2) shall be made by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.