LGO Individual Decisions

Summary: We will not exercise discretion to investigate this complaint about the responsibility for cables in a culvert next to Mr X’s property. This complaint 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: Mr B says the Council delayed dealing with his housing register application, wrongly suspended his application and removed him from the housing register, delayed putting him back on the housing register and failed to ask him to complete a medical priority form. There were delays in dealing with the housing register application, the Council failed to take into account all the information at various points and delayed providing Mr B with a medical form to complete. That caused Mr B distress and meant he was not registered on the housing register for part of the period. An apology, payme

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about how the Council considered a planning application. This is because we do not start an investigation where there is not enough evidence of fault or when an investigation is unlikely to lead to a different outcome.

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

Summary: Mr X complained about the way the Council handled planning matters relating to neighbouring properties on his street. We have not found the Council at fault.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about planning permission and planning enforcement because it is out of time.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with breaches of planning control. This is because we are unlikely to find fault.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s assessment of a housing application and the management of a council tenancy. There is insufficient evidence of fault in the assessment of the application. We cannot investigate the complaint about the management of housing by social housing landlords.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about staff conduct and also about the Council’s handling of his request for his personal data. Firstly, we are unlikely to find fault in how the Council has responded to Mr X’s complaint about its staff. And, secondly, because the Information Commissioner’s office is better placed to consider access to data matters.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of the Fixed Penalty Notice issued to Ms X for littering. This is because the tests in our Assessment Code are not met and there are insufficient grounds to warrant an investigation.

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. It is unlikely we would find fault in relation to the remaining issues complained about.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council has told the complainant it is not responsible for damage caused to her property as there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to increase the amount charged by the Council to renew a street trader licence. We have not seen enough evidence of fault in the way the Council made the decision to increase the fee to justify an investigation.

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about decisions made by the Returning Officer. We have no power to look at the actions of the Returning Officer.

Summary: Mr X complains that the Council has not complied with the Ombudsman’s previous recommendation for an independent survey. There is no evidence of fault by the Council.

Summary: Miss X complained the Council delayed taking action to address the poor condition of the property adjoining her home. We have found the Council took too long to act on some of Miss X’s reports. The Council agreed to apologise to Miss X and make a payment in recognition of the injustice caused to her.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about an alleged failure by the Council to properly consider the complainant’s circumstances before ending its duty to help relieve her homelessness. This is because the subject matter of the complainant’s complaint carries a right of appeal to county court which she has been informed of and could reasonably exercise.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Council tax premiums as there is a right of appeal to a Valuation Tribunal or challenge by Judicial Review.

Summary: Mr X complains the Council failed to fully accommodate his communication needs and provide reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010 when handling his application for council tax support. We have found fault by the Council. The Council will apologise and make a financial payment and service improvements to remedy the injustice caused to Mr X.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the process the Council followed leading to its decision to grant planning permission for a two-storey extension to a property next to the complainant’s home. We have not seen evidence of fault in the process followed by the Council.

Summary: Mr X complains about the way the Council manages and organises planning documents and that it held the planning committee meeting to consider an application on the day of the expiry of the consultation. We will not investigate the complaint because it is unlikely an investigation will 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 failure to consider Mrs X’s application for council tax reduction. There is insufficient evidence of fault.

Summary: Ms X complains about the Council’s handling of matters relating to a business which operates below her flat. We will not investigate the complaint because it is a late complaint and so falls outside our jurisdiction.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with Mr X’s complaints about his neighbour’s hedge. This is because he has already exercised his right of appeal to the Planning Inspector. We will also not investigate Mr X’s complaints about delays in the Council’s complaints process as any injustice to Mr X is not significant enough to justify our involvement.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about councillor conduct as it is made late to us and there are not good reasons to investigate now.