London Borough of Brent (20 003 885)

Statement Upheld Noise 23-Mar-2021

Summary: Mr X complains the Council has failed to take sufficient action about a statutory noise nuisance and fire risk at his neighbour’s property. He also says he was given incorrect information by the Council about its investigation of his neighbour’s property. The Council is at fault and has caused injustice, for which it has agreed to provide a financial remedy.

London Borough of Hillingdon (20 006 672)

Statement Not upheld Noise 23-Mar-2021

Summary: Ms B complained that the Council authorised contractors working on HS2 to carry out works outside her home at weekends and at night-time causing excessive noise, disruption and loss of sleep. There are no grounds to criticise the Council’s decision to complete the works at weekends and during the night.

North West Leicestershire District Council (20 006 166)

Statement Not upheld Antisocial behaviour 22-Mar-2021

Summary: Mrs P has complained about the Council failing to provide her the opportunity to make comments before it issued a remedial notice against her. However, there is a right of appeal against a remedial notice to the Planning Inspectorate. Mrs P used her right of appeal and so the Ombudsman has no jurisdiction to investigate. The Ombudsman therefore has discontinued his investigation.

Mid Sussex District Council (20 007 192)

Statement Upheld Trees 22-Mar-2021

Summary: Mrs X complains of fault in the Council’s handling of a planning application for removal of a protected tree. There is a lack of evidence that the Council took account of representations made by Mrs X on the application. However, the complaint was closed because the identified fault did not cause Mrs X significant injustice.

Manchester City Council (20 008 091)

Statement Upheld Refuse and recycling 22-Mar-2021

Summary: The Council was at fault for missing Mr X’s bin collections for part of October 2020. It has already accepted fault, explained why the collections were missed, apologised, and improved its practice. These actions have already remedied Mr X’s injustice.

London Borough of Enfield (20 011 624)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Covid-19 22-Mar-2021

Summary: We shall not investigate this complaint about the Council not closing a coffee shop because of alleged COVID-19 breaches. The Council’s alleged fault has not disadvantaged Mr X directly and significantly enough to warrant investigation.

Medway Council (20 008 096)

Statement Upheld Refuse and recycling 19-Mar-2021

Summary: Mrs F complained to the Council about the conduct of the contractors who were reversing onto her driveway and behaving in an antisocial manner. The Council apologised to Mrs F and agreed to carry out actions to remedy her complaint which Mrs F says it did not do. She also complained about the Council’s handling of her complaint. We find fault with the Council’s handling of the complaint. It has agreed to apologise to Mrs F and pay her £150 for putting her to the time and trouble of complaining and for the upset caused by antisocial behaviour.

Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea (20 011 885)

Statement Upheld Noise 19-Mar-2021

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council did not fairly investigate reports of noise nuisance coming from church land late at night. The Council has taken appropriate action to remedy the injustice. It has apologised to Mr X, offered a meeting about future relations, and dealt with the poor communication.

Ashfield District Council (20 009 067)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 18-Mar-2021

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs B’s complaint about a fixed penalty notice she received from the Council for an alleged littering offence. This is because it is for the courts to decide if an offence has taken place. Also, an investigation solely into Mrs B’s complaint about the conduct of an officer involved is not justified.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (20 010 589)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Licensing 18-Mar-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a licence transfer fee for a beach hut. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council and because part of the complaint would need to be considered in court.