Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council (18 000 864)

Statement Upheld Commercial and contracts 13-Mar-2019

Summary: Ms Y complained on behalf of Mr X. Mr X complained the Council treated him unfairly and excluded him from submitting a proposal for land where he had managed a business for several years. The Council was at fault. It failed to send Mr X details of the procurement process after saying it would do so, however, that did not cause Mr X significant injustice. The Council carried out the procurement process in line with its policy, and did not exclude Mr X from submitting a proposal. The Council was also at fault for the delay in handling Mr X's complaint, for which it had already apologised. The Council has agreed to pay Mr X £150 to recognise the frustration and uncertainty caused by the delay in responding to his complaint.

Dover District Council (18 005 381)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Commercial and contracts 13-Mar-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X's and Miss Y's complaint about the Council incorrectly disposing of their property from a rented garage. Their property loss is a matter best determined by a claim on the Council's insurers, or by the courts.

Epping Forest District Council (18 014 853)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Commercial and contracts 28-Feb-2019

Summary: Mr X complains about the Council's decision not to start a business relationship with his company. The Ombudsman will not intend to investigate this complaint as it is unlikely we will find fault in the Council's actions.

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council (18 011 132)

Statement Not upheld Commercial and contracts 22-Feb-2019

Summary: Mr X complains of delay in the construction of new Council shop units. While there was delay due to the original builder going bust, this was not fault by the Council. Any costs and inconvenience experienced by Mr X due to the construction delays were not as a direct result of any fault by the Council.

Hertfordshire County Council (18 006 610)

Statement Upheld Commercial and contracts 20-Feb-2019

Summary: Mr C complains about the way the Council dealt with his company during a procurement exercise which allowed another company to gain the benefit of his financial and other commercially sensitive information and caused financial loss to his company. The Ombudsman has found fault by the Council and is satisfied the Council's own actions largely remedy the complaint with the additional agreed actions of a payment of £1,000 to Mr C's company and review of its procurement process.

Kent County Council (18 003 583)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Commercial and contracts 08-Jan-2019

Summary: Mr X complains the Council breached the Public Contract Regulations 2015. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint as Mr X had the opportunity to challenge the contract award in court.

Liverpool City Council (17 017 291)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Commercial and contracts 07-Jan-2019

Summary: Mr T complains that the Council has unreasonably failed to agree terms to extend the lease on the building he occupies. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint. Mr T's complaint about the earlier history of the lease negotiations is out of jurisdiction because it is late. There is no fault in the Council putting lease renewals generally on hold while it considers the future of the area. If Mr T wants, nonetheless, to pursue renewal of his lease, he can take the matter to court.

Broxbourne Borough Council (18 009 767)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Commercial and contracts 02-Jan-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr Y's complaint that the Council owes him money for bookings of one of its venues as Mr Y can seek a remedy through the courts.

St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council (18 010 113)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Commercial and contracts 13-Nov-2018

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council had charged too much for an event held on its outdoor sports pitches. The Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint. This is because it is unlikely an investigation would find fault or add anything to the Council's own investigation.

Nottingham City Council (18 010 356)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Commercial and contracts 13-Nov-2018

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X's complaint about the Council's demand that he remove his trailer from a business centre car park as it is unlikely we would find fault. If Mr X believes the Council's actions are not in accordance with the tenancy agreement it would be reasonable to take the matter to court.