Derby City Council (19 007 816)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 03-Oct-2019

Summary: Mr X complains about the removal of a tree opposite his parent’s home. And the way the Council has responded to his requests for information and complaint. The Ombudsman will not investigate as it is unlikely we will find fault in the Council’s decision to remove the tree. And we do not consider Mr X suffered a significant personal injustice on this matter which warrants the Ombudsman’s involvement. And Mr X can complain to the ICO if he is dissatisfied with the Council’s responses to his requests for information.

South Somerset District Council (19 005 663)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 30-Sep-2019

Summary: Mrs X complains about works the Council carried out on a woodland site, the behaviour of its employees and its failure to follow the complaints process. The Ombudsman does not consider the work on the woodland or failures in the complaint process caused her significant personal injustice. And we consider the Council’s apology for an officer’s comments to be a sufficient remedy to this part of her complaint.

London Borough of Southwark (19 007 763)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 27-Sep-2019

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s failure to accept liability for damage to his home caused by tree roots from a former Council-owned property. The Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint. This is because it concerns a claim about damage to property due to alleged negligence by the Council. The Ombudsman cannot decide legal liability for damage or injury; this can only be determined by insurers or the courts.

West Berkshire Council (19 001 877)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 23-Sep-2019

Summary: Mr X complains the Council failed to enforce the planning conditions on landscaping where they live. The Ombudsman does not intend to investigate this complaint because it is late. And we cannot achieve the outcome they are seeking.

Central Bedfordshire Council (19 006 379)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 18-Sep-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about trees and bushes that the complainant’s neighbour has planted in his garden. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

Hertfordshire County Council (19 005 818)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 09-Sep-2019

Summary: Mr X complains the Council has failed to respond to his request for a Preservation Order on a group of trees on land it owns. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint as we have seen not evidence of fault in the Council’s actions.

Derby City Council (19 003 236)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 03-Sep-2019

Summary: Mr X complains the Council is failing to meet its responsibilities relating to damage to his property. An insurance claim is ongoing. The Ombudsman will not investigate as we have not seen evidence of fault in the Council’s actions. If the insurer rejects Mr X’s claim, he can pursue the matter in court.

Winchester City Council (19 004 742)

Statement Upheld Trees 27-Aug-2019

Summary: Mr B complains about the Council’s failure to cut the top of the hedge at the rear of his property. The Ombudsman will not investigate the complaint because the work has now been completed and there are no outstanding matters which warrant investigation.

Coventry City Council (19 005 020)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 27-Aug-2019

Summary: Miss X complained about the Council designating woodland at the rear of her property as an area of protected trees. The Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint. This is because there is insufficient evidence of any significant injustice which would warrant an investigation.

Rushmoor Borough Council (18 003 930)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 19-Aug-2019

Summary: Mr X complains the Council failed to follow the correct procedure when placing a tree preservation order covering trees on his land in 2014. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint as it is late and he cannot achieve the outcome Mr X is seeking.