LGO Individual Decisions

Summary: We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision to approve a planning application. This is because this part of his complaint is late and I have found no good reason why he could not have come to us sooner. Also, I have not found enough evidence of fault to warrant investigating his concerns about the Council’s response to his reports of use of a premises outside permitted hours.

Summary: There was no fault in the way the Council handled Miss X’s reports of noise, security risk and antisocial behaviour. The Council was at fault for its poor communication. It apologised to Miss X for its poor communication which was an appropriate remedy for the frustration she was caused.

Summary: X complained that the Council decided not to take enforcement action against a development it had previously refused to grant planning permission. We completed our investigation because there was no fault in the way the planning enforcement decision was made.

We have upheld Mrs X’s complaint because the Council failed to consider Mrs X’s change of circumstances and delayed reviewing her housing banding. The Council has agreed to resolve the complaint early by providing a proportionate remedy for the injustice caused to Mrs X.

Summary: Mr X complained that the Council failed to pursue enforcement action regarding development next to his home. There was fault by the Council due to delay and lack of communication. It has agreed a remedy

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the complainant’s priority on the housing register. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

Summary: Mr and Mrs X complained the Council failed to calculate their council tax bill properly. Mr X received a large council tax bill he was not prepared for. The Council failed to administer the council tax bill properly. The fault of the Council caused Mr and Mrs X great distress. The Council should recalculate the council tax bill, adjust the amount owed and make an apology to Mr and Mrs X.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s advice and handling of council tax reduction as there is not enough evidence of fault. Ms X also had appeal rights to the Valuation Tribunal which she has used.

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

Summary: Ms B complained about the way the Council dealt with her homelessness application. She complained the Council were wrong not to give her a priority banding for allocations. We found the Council was not at fault for how it made its decisions.

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about its management of a recreation facility. Parts of Mr X’s complaint are late and there are no good reasons why they could not have been made sooner. Of the parts that are not late, there is no worthwhile outcome we can achieve by investigating.

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s handling of his planning application and its decision to refuse planning permission. He has a right of appeal to the Planning Inspector.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s processing of a planning application. The complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. We have no jurisdiction to investigate this complaint as a Judicial Review has been completed.

Summary: Mr X complained the Council gave him incorrect information about the final figure owed in respect of his late father’s council tax account resulting in it demanding payment after the estate was distributed. Mr X says this caused frustration and embarrassment. The Council has now written off the outstanding balance of £136.63 which is a suitable remedy.

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about the Council’s decisions on her planning applications. This is because it would have been reasonable for Miss X to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s assessment of a housing application. There is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.

Summary: X complained about the Council’s failure to control development at a business near X’s home that has caused highway safety problems because of off-site parking of cars. We did not investigate this complaint further now, because the planning decision-making process is ongoing.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about lack of planning enforcement because there is no evidence of fault causing significant injustice.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about lack of planning enforcement because there is no evidence of fault causing significant injustice.

Summary: X complained the Council had taken too long to control unlawful developments on land near X’s home. We did not investigate further because the planning application and enforcement processes are ongoing. In relation to what has happened so far, we are unlikely to find fault, provide a remedy for X or provide any other meaningful outcome.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s pre-planning application and planning services. There is not enough evidence of fault in the Council’s actions. Also, the complainant can appeal to the Planning Inspector if the Council fails to determine his planning application with the statutory timeframe.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council failing to validate the complainant’s planning application. This is because the complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. It is reasonable to expect the complainant to use his right of appeal to the Planning Inspector.

Summary: There was delay by the Council when investigating and responding to complaints about unauthorised development on 6 plots of land. The Council has already carried a review of its planning enforcement service, which has produced recommendations for service improvements. Deciding outstanding applications for the site, as well as providing information to the complainant on the other enforcement investigations remedies the injustice, along with a payment towards their uncertainty.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the process the Council followed when making Tree Preservation Orders. This is because we are unlikely to find fault.

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s delays in progressing his Right to Buy application. This is because it was reasonable to expect Mr X to use the legal remedy available to him under the Right to Buy procedure in the County Court.