LGO Individual Decisions

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council failed to take sufficient action to provide accommodation that meets the needs of her family. The Council failed to take timely action once it was determined that her current property could not be adapted to meet her needs meaning Mrs X has been living in accommodation without proper washing and sleeping facilities impacting on her mental and physical health. As well as exploring all possibilities to find alternative accommodation the Council will make Mrs X a symbolic payment.

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about a Council leisure centre’s change in booking system. This is because the events complained about took place more than 12 months ago. It would have been reasonable for Mr X to complain at the time. In addition, even if we did exercise discretion to investigate, we would be unlikely to find fault.

complaint about the highway and parking provision near her home.

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s disclosure of his personal details on its website. This is because the complaint concerns a data breach and is a matter best placed for the Information Commissioner’s office to consider.

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about the Council’s actions in relation to her market stall. This is because we could not add to any previous investigation by the Council.

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about how the Council has dealt with his concerns about a development near his home. There is not enough evidence of fault on how the Council investigated Mr X’s concerns to justify our involvement. Mr X has also raised concerns that fall outside our remit to consider.

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision that he is not eligible to join the housing register. It is reasonable for Mr X to request a review.

Summary: We cannot investigate Mr B’s complaint about the Council failing to replace a damaged fence at one of its properties. This is because we cannot investigate complaints about the management of social housing by councils.

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s response in relation to reported anti-social behaviour. This is because further investigation would not lead to a different outcome and it is reasonable for Mr X to appeal against the outcome of the case review.

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council introducing a controlled parking zone near his property. There is not enough evidence of fault to justify an investigation.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council taking court action against Mr X. We cannot investigate the commencement of court proceedings and could not say any fault led to wrongful legal action against him.

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about her banding under the Council’s housing allocation scheme. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault to justify an investigation.

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s actions when he approached it as homeless. We found some fault by the Council as it did not evidence it assessed the suitability of interim accommodation it offered to him. This caused uncertainty and frustration to Mr X. The Council has agreed to apologise, pay a symbolic payment to recognise his injustice, and take action to prevent recurrence of this fault.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council will not cut back an overhanging tree as it is unlikely we will find fault by the Council. We will not investigate the complaint about damage as this is a matter for the courts.

Summary: Ms D complained the Council had failed to assess her housing application in line with procedures. Based on current evidence we have decided to end the investigation because we cannot add to the remedy already provided by the Council which included an undertaking to reassess Ms D’s application and an offer of £750 redress for time and trouble and distress.

Summary: Ms Y complained about the way the Council dealt with her Right to Buy application. We have found fault by the Council, causing injustice, in failing to communicate properly and keep proper records regarding her application, and its poor complaint handling. The Council has agreed to remedy this injustice by apologising to Ms Y, making a symbolic payment to reflect the upset caused and reporting on improvements to its service.

Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the Council’s delay in rehousing her because there is insufficient evidence of fault to justify our involvement.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with a complaint about the conduct of a councillor. This is because the complainant has not suffered significant injustice.

Summary: Miss X complained about the way the Council dealt with her housing application. We found no fault in the way the Council made its decision. However, we found fault with the Council’s failure to assess if she was homeless. This caused uncertainty to Miss X. The Council will apologise for this and consider her case again.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about planning delays and a refusal of a planning application as there is a right of appeal to a Planning Inspector.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision not to carry out work to cut back trees and bushes at the back of Ms X’s property. This is because there is no evidence to suggest fault by the Council.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council installing wooden posts on the grass verge outside Mr B’s home. This is because the alleged fault has not caused Mr B a significant injustice.

Summary: Miss X complained the Council did not properly consider her disabilities and health conditions and so allocated the wrong housing priority band. We have discontinued our investigation as the Council has taken action and Miss X has been rehoused in suitable accommodation.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s consultation on its Local Plan. The Planning Inspector decided the Local Plan is sound, including its consultation with residents and businesses. The Ombudsman cannot consider decisions made by the Planning Inspector. The complainant also complains about the Council’s decision to approve planning applications on sites allocated in the Local Plan. We will not investigate this part of the complaint as we are unlikely to find fault.

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about the Council’s maintenance of trees near her property. There is not enough evidence of fault by the Council in its decision-making process to justify us investigating. The complaint is also late and there is no good reason for us to investigate it now. Any issue of damage to Miss X’s property by the trees would be a legal liability matter which we would not investigate, and it would be reasonable for her to pursue with insurers or through the courts.