The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a dropped kerb application because we are satisfied with the actions the Council proposes to take.
The complaint
Mr Y complained the Council previously approved his dropped kerb vehicle crossover application, but then when the permission expired and Mr Y reapplied, it refused permission. Mr Y says it is difficult for him to exit his property.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’. In this statement, I have used the word fault to refer to these. We provide a free service but must use public money carefully. We may decide not to start or continue with an investigation if we are satisfied with the actions an organisation has taken or proposes to take. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(7), as amended)
How I considered this complaint
I considered information Mr Y provided and the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
Since Mr Y complained to us in September 2025, the Council has agreed the refusal was made incorrectly. It has offered to reinstate the original decision to approve an extension to the dropped kerb to 6.4 metres for both accesses. It says this is because Mr Y’s property has an adjacent crossing, with separate access to his neighbour, rather than a shared crossing. The Council will contact Mr Y to confirm this and the six-month period during which Mr Y must complete the work. Mr Y has accepted this as an outcome to his complaint. As we are satisfied with the actions the Council has proposed, we will not investigate this complaint.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr Y’s complaint because we are satisfied with the actions the Council proposes to take.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman