Stoke-on-Trent City Council (19 010 179)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 10-Dec-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s failure to remove 3 trees behind his property. The Council has removed one tree and is entitled to suspend removal of the other two trees due to a planning application. It has apologised to Mr X for the handling of the case. There is no outstanding injustice.

Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council (19 010 583)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 26-Nov-2019

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s failure to maintain a tree in the highway. He says he should receive a discount for his garden waste collection because of the leaves he collects. The Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.

Stratford-on-Avon District Council (19 000 002)

Statement Not upheld Trees 22-Nov-2019

Summary: Mr B complains that tree reports considered by the Council when granting planning permission for the construction of a pavilion in a park do not comply with British Standards. He also says the Council failed to take enforcement action in respect of breaches of planning permission. There are no grounds to criticise the Council. There is no requirement for tree reports to comply with British Standards. The Council properly investigated Mr B’s concerns about breaches of planning permission and was entitled to decide enforcement action was not warranted.

Rother District Council (19 013 568)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 20-Nov-2019

Summary: Mr B complains about the Council’s handling of matters relating to a tree the subject of a Tree Preservation Order (TPO). The Ombudsman cannot investigate the complaint because the substantive issue falls outside our jurisdiction as Mr B has appealed to the Planning Inspectorate and the secondary issues will not be pursued in isolation.

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (19 006 851)

Statement Not upheld Trees 15-Nov-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman has discontinued his investigation into Mr X’s complaint about the Council cutting down trees in his garden. Mr X says this has now been resolved.

Cannock Chase District Council (19 009 568)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 12-Nov-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate whether damage to the complainant’s property was caused by the Council’s negligence. This is a matter for the courts to decide.

Cotswold District Council (19 009 462)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 08-Nov-2019

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of an application for permission to do works to a protected tree. This is because Mr and Mrs Q have appealed to the Planning Inspector.

Redditch Borough Council (19 009 490)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 02-Nov-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr A’s complaint that the Council has refused to remove trees which are causing damage to his property. This is because Mr A may take the matter to court and it would be reasonable for him to do so.

Harborough District Council (19 009 317)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 01-Nov-2019

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s failure to prevent a developer from cutting back roadside hedges during the bird nesting season. The Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.

Aylesbury Vale District Council (19 009 501)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 01-Nov-2019

Summary: Mr Y complains the Council felled trees on its boundary with his land. He says this has devalued his property and affected his outlook. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because we have not seen any evidence of fault in the Council’s actions.