Thurrock Council (19 016 214)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 07-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the conduct of a civil enforcement officer who issued him with a Fixed Penalty Notice for smoking. This is because it is unlikely we could add anything to the Council’s investigation, and the alleged injustice to Mr X is not enough to warrant our involvement. Mr X has now paid the Fixed Penalty Notice and has therefore lost the right to put forward a defence in court.

Leicester City Council (19 007 656)

Statement Upheld Other 06-Feb-2020

Summary: Mr B complains the Council has not taken enforcement action against his neighbour who altered a culvert without permission. Mr B says the alteration changed the flow of the watercourse and increased the flood risk to Mr B’s property. The Ombudsman has found fault with the Council which caused Mr B injustice. The Council has agreed to take action to remedy this injustice.

Northumberland County Council (19 014 599)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 05-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the way the Council applies weed killer. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council and insufficient evidence of injustice.

Liverpool City Council (19 008 178)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 04-Feb-2020

Summary: Mr X complained about several issues relating to council services and wider public service issues in his area. The Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault or specific injustice to Mr X. Some issues affect all or most of the area’s residents and are outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction.

London Borough of Croydon (19 015 038)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 03-Feb-2020

Summary: Mr X complains about the way the Council handled his reports of fly tipping and the way it handled his complaint about this matter. The Ombudsman will not investigate the complaint because, while there has been fault by the Council, there are insufficient grounds to warrant an investigation.

Royal Borough of Greenwich (19 006 337)

Statement Upheld Other 30-Jan-2020

Summary: Ms X complains about the action the Council has taken to prevent odours from a restaurant entering her flat and how the Council handled her complaint about this. Ms X says the odours cause her property to smell. From the evidence seen, the Ombudsman finds fault with the Council and has made recommendations to remedy the injustice caused.

Brentwood Borough Council (19 014 825)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 30-Jan-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr B’s complaint there was no dog warden available when he rescued a stray dog from the motorway. Further consideration of the complaint is unlikely to find fault by the Council.

Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames (19 006 228)

Statement Upheld Other 28-Jan-2020

Summary: There is no evidence of fault with how the Council responded, after it received a report that Ms C’s garden was attracting foxes. However, the Council was at fault in how it dealt with her complaint. It has offered her a suitable remedy to reflect the time and trouble she went to because of this fault.

London Borough of Redbridge (19 015 318)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 26-Jan-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about an allegation of damage to her property by a waste collection vehicle. This is because it is reasonable for Mrs X to use the legal remedy available to her.

Cheshire East Council (18 012 603)

Statement Not upheld Other 24-Jan-2020

Summary: Mrs X complained about odour and noise from extractor fans at a fish and chip shop behind her home. The Council was not at fault for the way it investigated the potential nuisance.