LGO Individual Decisions

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the Council’s decision that her relative must contribute towards her transport costs to a day care centre. There is not enough evidence of fault to justify an investigation.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s refusal to prune back its trees. We have not seen enough evidence of fault to justify an investigation.

Summary: Miss X complained about the Council’s service in providing bins for her property. Miss X said that she is on maternity pay and has limited income, so she cannot afford the costs of the bins. However, the Council has offered no alternative options. Since our investigation began, the Council provided bins to Miss X for free. However, we found the Council should apologise and amend its policy. It should make it clear the eligibility for those entitled to receive a free bin and to ensure that clear guidance is in place for its staff to consider this.

the Council failed to uphold the terms of a mediation agreement

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint that she suffered injuries after tripping while works were taking place on the public highway. This is because it is reasonable for Mrs X to take the matter to court.

Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the Council’s arrangements at a leisure facility. This is because there is no evidence the injustice to Ms X is significant enough to justify our involvement.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision on Mrs X’s homelessness application. It was reasonable for Mrs X to appeal to the County Court against this decision.

Summary: Mrs F complained about the Council’s handling of her child’s Education between January 2022 to December 2023. We found fault by the Council for causing a delay of nearly 12 months in the Education, Health and Care plan process and how it communicated with Mrs F. We did not investigate Mrs F’s complaints about matters which occurred before January 2023 as these were late. The Council should apologise and make payment to Mrs F to acknowledge the injustice its faults caused her and X.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Council tax liability and premiums because there is a right of appeal to a Valuation Tribunal.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about liability for Council tax because there is a right of appeal to a Valuation Tribunal.

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs C’s complaint about two Council trees next to her home. This is because it is reasonable for Mrs C to take the Council to court if needed about the damage to her property. An investigation solely into nuisance caused by leaf fall is not justified.

Summary: We cannot investigate X’s complaint about the Council’s actions related to their child’s school attendance. The Council has started court action about the matter. We cannot investigate a complaint about the start of court action or matters that can be raised as part of court proceedings.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s refusal to rescind X’s signature to an agreement about the outcome of a data protection matter. The complaint concerns the outcome of a data matter, which another body is better placed to consider. Any disagreement about a settlement of a data matter would be a matter where X has a right to go to court it would be reasonable to use.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the way the Council processed changes to the complainant’s council tax. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault causing injustice. We will not investigate the complaint about an alleged data breach because the complainant can contact the Information Commissioner.

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision not to issue an Education Health and Care Plan. The complainant used his right to appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability). This places the matter outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction.

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision not to repair or carry out additional work to an adjoining wall. It is unlikely we would find fault in the Council’s actions and cannot achieve the outcome Mr X is looking for.

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s actions in its child protection involvement with his child. The complaint lies outside our jurisdiction because it is late and there are no good reasons to exercise discretion to consider it now. Also, the law prevents us from investigating complaints about matters that have been subject to court proceedings. We have no discretion to do so.

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s failure to complete his child’s (Y) Education, Health and Care Plan annual review. He also complained the Council did not provide Y with suitable education and with the provisions contained in his Plan after he was excluded from his school and its poor communication with Mr X. There were various faults by the Council which caused injustice to Y and Mr X. The Council will take action to remedy the injustice caused.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s response to noise nuisance. This is because parts of Ms X’s complaint are late. And of the parts that are not late, it is unlikely we would find fault, and further investigation is unlikely to lead to a different outcome for Ms X.

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about disrepair in

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council did not properly complete the 2022 annual review of her daughter, Y’s Education, Health and Care Plan, named an inappropriate placement and delayed issuing an amended plan after the 2023 annual review. She also complained about the Council’s complaint handling. Mrs X said this caused unnecessary distress and uncertainty. There was fault in the way the Council did not issue a decision after the 2023 annual review, delayed issuing an amended plan and delayed completing its complaint process. This frustrated Mrs X’s right of appeal to the Tribunal and she was

Summary: Mrs X complained about failings and delays in the annual review process and in issuing a final amended EHC Plan for her daughter. Mrs X complained the Council failed to provide appropriate or adequate support when she removed her daughter from the school roll. And of poor communication from the SEND Team. We found the delay and failure to follow proper procedure in the Annual Review process and in issuing an amended Final Plan is fault. This fault has caused Mrs X distress and frustration. The Council has agreed to apologise and make a payment to Mrs X and issue reminders to relevant

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about a council tax bill. The Council amended the bill following Mr X’s complaint and further investigation would not achieve a different outcome. It is reasonable for Mr X to appeal to the Valuation Tribunal about the Council’s refusal to apply a single person discount.

Summary: We will not exercise discretion to investigate this complaint about the Council issuing a summons for non-payment of council tax. this complaint which was received outside the normal 12-month period for investigating complaints. There is no evidence to suggest that Mr X could not have complained to us sooner.

Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about how the Council considered her adult children’s disabled related expenditure because there is insufficient evidence of fault to justify our involvement.