Hertsmere Borough Council (17 014 811)

Statement Upheld Licensing 10-May-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman found fault by the Council on Mr F’s complaint that it wrongly revoked his private hire vehicle’s licence and the procedures it followed. It failed to keep records, did not give him full details of the allegation and allow him to address it before its decision, and gave him inaccurate and misleading information. There was no fault on his complaint about it delaying hearing his appeal. The Council agreed to apologise to him for the failures, review procedures, and pay him £550.

London Borough of Brent (18 015 190)

Statement Not upheld Licensing 10-May-2019

Summary: Mr X complains that the Council has not taken satisfactory action about his report of an unlicensed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) next door. He also complains about the way the Council has handled his complaint. He says the neighbours cause a nuisance which affects his health and work, and cause him ongoing psychological trauma. He says the sale of his house fell through when he told the buyer about the neighbours. The Ombudsman does not find fault with the Council.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council (18 019 876)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Licensing 09-May-2019

Summary: Mr X, who is a taxi driver, complains about how the Council dealt with him when it caught him driving in a bus lane. He is also unhappy the Council has not acted against a public house he says served an intoxicated customer. The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaints. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault causing significant personal injustice to warrant the Ombudsman’s involvement.