LGO Individual Decisions

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s view that a flat, not just a house, might meet Miss X’s needs. This is mainly because the evidence suggests the Council reached its decision properly. Miss X can reasonably take court action if she wants a decision on whether the Council has broken equality laws.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about comments made by a Council officer about Mr X’s request for an anti-social behaviour case review. This is because an investigation would be unlikely to find fault with the Council’s actions.

We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the increase in business rates on his property. This is because we have not seen enough evidence of fault to justify an investigation.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision not to include conditions prohibiting a rising gate or private road sign when it granted planning permission for new houses in 2020. This complaint is late and we have not seen any reasons to exercise discretion in this matter.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of Planning and Building Control matters relating to the complainant’s development. There is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council, and we are unlikely to achieve a substantively different outcome.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the conduct of an officer. The Council has acknowledged the Officer’s behaviour fell short of that expected. It has apologised and arranged for further training. We cannot achieve the outcome the complainant is seeking. And we do not consider an investigation will lead to a different outcome.

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about matters related to the Council’s data handling. This is because we cannot achieve the outcome he wants.

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision not to take planning enforcement action against his neighbour. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault affecting the decision.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s investigation of anti-social behaviour reported to it. There is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of a planning enforcement case and associated planning application. There is not enough evidence of fault in the way the Council reached its decisions on these matters, and it has apologised for failing to update the complainant about what was happening.

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s response to his prior notification application to convert a barn using permitted development rights. We did not investigate this complaint further because we are unlikely to find fault, recommend a remedy or reach any other meaningful outcome.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to start bankruptcy proceedings against Mr X and that the Council delayed in telling him he owed council tax. This is because the complaint is outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction. In addition, there is insufficient evidence of fault with the Council’s actions between 2008-2019.

Summary: Mr B complained about the Council’s decision to grant planning permission for an outbuilding in a neighbouring garden which includes a window facing his garden. He said the window causes an unacceptable degree of overlooking. There was fault in the Council’s failure to respond to Mr B’s complaint but not in how it considered the planning application.

Summary: Ms X complained about how the Council handled her housing application. We have found no fault with how the Council handled Ms X’s housing application.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about an unsuccessful visit to a Christmas market. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council and it is unlikely we could add to the Council’s response.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s approval of a planning application. There is not enough evidence of fault in the Council’s action to justify an investigation. We do not consider the complainant has suffered a significant personal injustice. Nor can we achieve the outcome the complainant is seeking.

Summary: The Council’s actions did not lead to the injustice claimed by the complainant so no further investigation is warranted. Even if the Council was at fault, Mr X would have never had a right of review or appeal against a Community Infrastructure Levy on his housing development as he had commenced work before the Community Infrastructure Levy process began.

Summary: Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council decided to grant planning permission for development in its area. This is because there is no evidence of fault in how the Council made its decision.

Summary: Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council decided to grant planning permission for development in its area. This is because there is no evidence of fault in how the Council made its decision.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council decided to grant planning permission for development in its area. This is because there is no evidence of fault in how the Council made its decision.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council reached its decision to grant planning permission for a development in its area. This is because there is no evidence of fault in how the Council reached its decision.

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s decision in May 2020 not to enforce a breach of a high hedge remedial notice it issued to his neighbour in 2016. The Council was not at fault for not taking enforcement action. However, it was at fault for not issuing the remedial notice in line with the guidance which meant it was unenforceable. There is also no record it told Mr X it would waive the application fee if he decided to make a new high hedge complaint for over 12 months. The Council agreed to apologise to Mr X, pay him £100 and make the recommended service improvements.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision on a complaint made against a local councillor. This is because there is no evidence to suggest fault by the Council.

Summary: Ms Y complains the Council failed to clearly explain how her Council Tax bill was calculated and did not offer her an affordable special payment arrangement for Council Tax arrears. She complains about the Council’s consideration of her vulnerability when writing to her about a possible Magistrates Summons. She says this has caused her distress. The Ombudsman does not find fault in the action and decisions taken by the Council.