LGO Individual Decisions

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council failing to change misleading road markings and signage outside the complainant’s property. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council, and an investigation by the Ombudsman is unlikely to lead to a different outcome.

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about how the Council dealt with fly-tipped waste on land that he owns. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault.

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision to award band 2 priority on its housing register scheme. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault in its decision- making process to justify our involvement.

Summary: We will not investigate this late complaint about the Council charging Mrs Y’s family a top up fee for her care. There is not a good reason for the delay in the complaint being made to us.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s consideration of the layout of a development where the complainant lives. We consider an investigation will not lead to a different outcome.

Summary: Miss B complained the Council refused to provide home to school transport for her child, C who has special educational needs and a blue badge. The Council was at fault in how it made and explained its decision. It failed to properly consider C’s ability to walk safely in its decision making. The Council will apologise and pay Miss B £100 for the frustration and uncertainty caused. It will undertake a fresh stage two appeal using new panel members and arrange training for relevant school transport staff and panel members.

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council not maintaining an area of land which he says it is responsible for and the Council closing the reports he makes without taking appropriate action. This is because the alleged fault has not caused any significant personal injustice. In addition, there is insufficient evidence of fault.

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s bin contractor not delivering food waste caddy liners to him after several requests and the delay in providing the liners.

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about damage to her property caused by the Council’s waste collection contractors. This is because it is reasonable for Miss X to submit a claim to the relevant insurers, and ultimately take the matter to court.

Summary: Miss X complained about the Council’s care of her when she was a looked after child and the way it handled her complaint. Miss X said she felt blamed for things that happened when she was a child. She said this affected her mental health, and caused unnecessary and avoidable distress. We find the Council at fault and this caused injustice. The Council will apologise to Miss X.

Summary: Mr X complained the Council failed to involve him properly when it delivered support to his child. Mr X also complained about how the Council handled his complaint. We found the Council was at fault. Mr X has not had the opportunity to have his complaint properly considered via the children’s statutory complaints procedure. This caused undue delay and frustration for Mr X. The Council will start stage two of the children’s statutory complaints procedure without delay. It will also apologise to Mr X and make a symbolic payment to him.

Summary: Mr X complained the Council inadequately responded to his reports of Japanese knotweed, and it communicated poorly. Mr X said his home is at risk and he feels ignored. He said it caused unnecessary distress, anxiety and mistrust in the Council. We do not find fault.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council made a flawed decision to refuse the complainant’s application and appeal for school transport for her son. There is insufficient evidence of fault on the Council’s part to warrant investigation.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a missed bulky waste collection because the Council has agreed to make a refund.

Summary: Miss X complains the Council failed to complete a Carers Assessment when she requested it. Miss X says the Council passed her between the children’s and adult’s teams. Miss X also says the Council completed a Child and Family Assessment poorly. Miss X says this has caused her distress and frustration. Based on current evidence we have found fault in the Councils actions. The Council has agreed to investigate Miss X’s complaint about the assessment being completed poorly under the Children’s Statutory Complaints Procedure, issue an apology to Miss X and pay Miss X a financial payment t

Summary: Mr D complained about the way the Council is dealing with refuse and waste collection on his street. He also complained that the Council is taking too long to deal with frequent fly tipping and is not emptying recycling bins at all. We found the Council at fault in relation to recycling collections. The Council agreed to apologise and make a payment to Mr D in recognition of injustice caused to him. The Council has said it will ensure the recycling bin is collected going forward.

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s handling of a safeguarding referral about his family. The law prevents us from investigating anything that is or has been the subject of court proceedings. We are also unlikely to find evidence of fault in the Council’s action following Mr X’s arrest.

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about the Council’s actions in relation to issuing her a Fixed Penalty Notice for littering. This is because Miss X can raise a defence against the issuing of the notice in court if she believes it was incorrectly issued.

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s actions between 2019 and 2023 in relation to his application for a street trader’s licence. The complaint lies outside our jurisdiction because it is late and there are no good reasons to exercise discretion to consider it now. Also, part of the complaint lies outside our jurisdiction because it has been considered in court.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about an alleged threat of legal action made by a Council officer to Miss X regarding school attendance. There is not enough evidence of injustice caused by fault to warrant investigation.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a Penalty Charge Notice because the complainant could have appealed to the tribunal and because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a dropped kerb which the Council approved in error. This is because the Council has provided a satisfactory response.

Summary: We will not investigate a Council-commissioned care provider’s response to Ms X’s complaint about poor care. This is because it is unlikely we could add to the investigation and responses the care provider has already provided.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about council tax liability as this is a matter for the Valuation Tribunal.

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about care provided to her late father. There is no worthwhile outcome achievable through investigation. Further the complaint is late and there are no good reasons to exercise discretion to investigate it now.