London Borough of Lewisham (19 019 722)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 31-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Miss X’s complaint the Council’s tree is damaging her gate and fence. The complaint is late. Also, she can ask the courts to decide whether the Council is liable for the damage.

Plymouth City Council (19 011 709)

Statement Not upheld Trees 30-Mar-2020

Summary: Mrs X complains the Council was at fault in the way it responded to her concerns about overgrown vegetation and overhanging trees near to her property. The Ombudsman has found no evidence of fault in the way the Council considered these matters.

Suffolk County Council (19 016 956)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 30-Mar-2020

Summary: Mr and Mrs X complained about the Council’s refusal to remove a tree from the highway which is close to their property boundary. The Ombudsman should not exercise his discretion to investigate this complaint. This is because it concerns a complaint about matters outside the normal 12-month period for receiving complaints.

Northumberland County Council (19 013 670)

Statement Not upheld Trees 24-Mar-2020

Summary: Mr X complained the Council would not cut back trees and shrubbery growing on Council owned land at the back of his garden. The Council was not at fault.

Birmingham City Council (19 017 170)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 24-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that a Council owned tree damaged his fence. This is a matter for the courts to decide.

Surrey County Council (19 010 536)

Statement Upheld Trees 23-Mar-2020

Summary: Mr and Mrs X complained about the way the Council handled an issue with a tree on their land. They said the poor communication and delay caused them unnecessary distress and worry. The Ombudsman has found fault with the Council for delaying a site visit. We do not consider this to have caused a significant injustice to Mr and Mrs X.

Birmingham City Council (19 017 550)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 23-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman has no jurisdiction to investigate a complaint about the actions of the Council in its role as a social landlord.

Birmingham City Council (19 018 414)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 21-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr B’s complaint that the Council has declined to prune a tree outside his property. This is because it is unlikely we would find fault on the Council’s part.

Stafford Borough Council (19 018 173)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 18-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr and Mrs Q’s complaint about the accuracy of the Council’s records regarding a protected tree, or associated matters. This is because the injustice they have suffered is not significant enough to justify our involvement. And the Information Commissioner is better placed to deal with their request for documents.

Herefordshire Council (19 018 440)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 18-Mar-2020

Summary: Mr X complains the Council the Council has misled him and wrongly decided to prosecute him. The Ombudsman will not investigate his complaint as the matters complained of have been considered by the courts and are therefore outside our jurisdiction. Also, his complaint is too late.