Harrogate Borough Council (19 002 467)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 01-Jul-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about how the Council dealt with his application to reduce the heights of two trees in his rear garden. There is no injustice to Mr X. Mr X had and still has a formal route to achieve the outcome he seeks.

Birmingham City Council (19 002 357)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 27-Jun-2019

Summary: Mrs X complained about the Council’s decision to replace a tree in the street outside her home. The Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council which would warrant an investigation.

Liverpool City Council (19 002 203)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 26-Jun-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about a tree. This is because the Council has now pruned it.

Fareham Borough Council (19 002 213)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 26-Jun-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about a Tree Preservation Order which was made in 2005 or about the Council’s response in 2019. This is because it is a late complaint and because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council. In addition, the complainant could appeal to the Planning Inspector.

London Borough of Newham (19 001 830)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 18-Jun-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision not to prune a tree or pay compensation to the complainant. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council and because the complainant can make a claim on the Council’s insurance.

City of Wolverhampton Council (19 001 909)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 18-Jun-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision not to prune or remove some trees which the complainant says threaten his home. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

Worcestershire County Council (19 001 746)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 14-Jun-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the Council removing a tree from the rear of her property. Mrs X considers the tree was hers, but the Council says there is no evidence for this. The core issue is the ownership of the tree, and the land on which it stood, which the Ombudsman cannot resolve. Ownership questions are matters for the courts. The complaint is also late, and there are no good grounds for the Ombudsman to investigate now.

Milton Keynes Council (19 001 283)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 12-Jun-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about a tree which the complainant says puts her son at risk. This because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

Essex County Council (19 002 236)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 11-Jun-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council deciding not to cut back a tree to the rear of his property. Mr X considers the Council owns the tree and it is its responsibility to maintain it. The Council disagrees. The core issue is the ownership of the tree, which the Ombudsman cannot resolve. Ownership questions are matters best dealt with by the courts.

Durham County Council (17 015 957)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 10-Jun-2019

Summary: Mr B complains about the Council’s delay in carrying out tree works to a tree close to his property. The Ombudsman will not investigate the complaint because earlier events fall outside our jurisdiction and an investigation into events from 2018 would be unlikely to add to that already carried out by the Council or lead to a different outcome.