LGO Individual Decisions

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint that the Council’s actions in court impacted the care arrangements of the complainants’ grandchildren. The law prevents us from investigating complaints about what happened in court.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the actions of a social worker in relation to Miss B and her child. This is because there is another body better placed to consider this complaint. Also we cannot achieve the outcome Miss B wants.

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

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council’s diversion of a footpath made a number of years ago. This is because the complainant appealed to the Planning Inspectorate about the matter so placing the complaint outside our jurisdiction.

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about an assessment the Council completed for the Court. The law says we cannot investigate matters that the Court has dealt with.

Summary: Ms D says the Council repeatedly failed to collect her household waste. We have found evidence of fault by the Council, upheld the complaint and completed the investigation because the Council has offered a reasonable remedy.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about missed bin collections because further investigation would not lead to a different outcome. The Council has apologised and taken steps to prevent future problems.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of matters relating to a loose manhole cover. This is because an investigation is unlikely to add to that already carried out by the Council or lead to a different outcome.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s failures to ensure timely repairs to the highway or respond to the complainant. The Council has apologised for the poor level of service the complainant has received. It has also started the repairs. We do not consider that further investigation will lead to a different outcome.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with the complainant's planning application. This is because the complainant had the right to appeal to the Planning Inspector.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a Council forcing Ms X to appeal to the SEND Tribunal and of the Council’s conduct during the appeal process. This is because Ms X has used her right of appeal and the complaint is outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s response to Mr and Mrs X’s reports of antisocial behaviour. There is insufficient evidence of fault to justify investigation.

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint the Council’s contact about her social care and a legal case caused her anxiety, that it tried to obtain personal information without her consent from her surgery and has not communicated properly. We cannot achieve what Mrs X wants. We cannot investigate most matters because a court is considering Mrs X’s welfare.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about events that led to a leisure centre ban being issued. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about an email the complainant received from a council officer, after he raised concerns about his neighbour’s refuse. This is because the complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. The Council has already taken satisfactory action in response to the complaint, and there is not enough injustice to the complainant to warrant the Ombudsman pursuing the matter further.

Summary: Ms F complains about repeated problems with her assisted waste collection service. There was fault which has caused Ms F frustration and difficulties. The Council has agreed to make a payment to her and take actions to improve its service.

Summary: Ms X complained about lack of education and support for her son, C, under his Education, Health and Care Plan while he was out of school during the COVID-19 pandemic because of his vulnerability to risk of infection. We find that at first the Council took reasonable steps to ensure he received education. But it was at fault in failing to provide some therapy support. It also failed to consider its duties to provide alternative education for C while out of school for reasons other than illness, and instead approved a part-time ‘flexi-schooling’ agreement which made Ms X responsible for

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about liability for council tax because it has been considered by a court and could be considered by a tribunal.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of the complainant’s mother’s care. This is because the complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. The complaint has been made late to us outside of our usual 12-month time period for accepting complaints. And, I have seen no evidence the complainant could not have complained to us earlier.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about information on a parking board and a Penalty Charge Notice. This is because the complainant could have followed the statutory process and appealed to the tribunal.

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s actions in relation to his allotment plots. The Council was not at fault.

Summary: Mr X complains about the Council’s handling of a planning application for a large-scale development in his locale. We will not investigate the complaint because the Council has taken the action Mr X sought as an outcome to his complaint and an investigation would be unlikely to add significantly to the Council’s own investigation.

Summary: Mr C complains about the way the Council responded to his reports of unauthorised development at a neighbouring property. Mr C says he suffers from unacceptable development which has a harmful impact on his residential amenity and the Green Belt and he has spent unnecessary time and trouble. We have found fault by the Council but consider the agreed action of an apology, £400 and timely enforcement action provides a suitable remedy.

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s consideration of works done to the house next to his. He considered work was carried out which did not have planning approval and the Council did not take enforcement action. He considered the change to a window increased overlooking of his property. And the removal of a chimney could have caused the release of asbestos into the atmosphere. There was no fault by the Council.

Summary: There was fault with how the Council reached its decision to refuse Miss X’s request for school transport assistance. This caused Miss X a financial and medical injustice. The Council has agreed actions to remedy Miss X’s injustice.