Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council (21 016 475)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Land 09-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Mr X’s access rights over land sold by the Council to a developer. This is because the complaint falls outside our jurisdiction as we would reasonably expect Mr X to take the matter to court.

South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council (21 016 114)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Councillor conduct and standards 09-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of a code of conduct complaint against a councillor. This is because the complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. There is not enough evidence of fault in the way the Council assessed the complaint, and it has apologised for the delays in responding to the complainant’s related correspondence.

Newcastle upon Tyne City Council (21 016 318)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 08-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council publicised a tendering opportunity. This is because there is no evidence of fault by the Council or the company acting on its behalf.

Lancaster City Council (20 006 664)

Statement Upheld Other 08-Mar-2022

Summary: The Council delayed reviewing Mr B’s designation as an unreasonably persistent complainant for two years. The result of the review was for the designation and restrictions to remain; therefore, its delay has not caused any significant injustice. The Council has apologised for the frustration caused by its delay, which is appropriate action in response.

Thurrock Council (21 016 648)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Commercial and contracts 07-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the Council’s disposal of her belongings from a garage it repossessed without contacting her. This is because it would be reasonable for her to take the matter to court.

Lancaster City Council (21 016 283)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Elections and electoral register 07-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the complainant not receiving reminders to renew his overseas voting registration. We could not add to any previous investigation by the Council, nor would further investigation lead to a different outcome. And we cannot achieve the outcome sought.

Wakefield City Council (21 005 727)

Statement Upheld Other 04-Mar-2022

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council ignored her request for a reasonable adjustment leaving her unable to access the Council’s complaint process, causing her frustration and additional costs. We found the Council was at fault for not properly considering Mrs X’s request for a reasonable adjustment. We recommended the Council provide an apology and payment to Mrs X and act to prevent recurrence.

Oxfordshire County Council (21 015 257)

Statement Upheld Other 04-Mar-2022

Summary: We uphold Mrs Y’s complaint, as the Council breached data protection obligations about Mrs Y’s child. The Council has agreed to pay £200 to Mrs Y to recognise the emotional impact of the fault.

South Oxfordshire District Council (21 017 246)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Councillor conduct and standards 03-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council’s Monitoring Officer dealt with a complaint about the conduct of a councillor. This is because we are unlikely to find fault. The complainant’s concerns about how the Council dealt with his request for information was a matter best dealt with by the Information Commissioner’s Office.

Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council (21 017 672)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 03-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a data protection breach as this is best dealt with by the Information Commissioner’s Office.