London Borough of Barking & Dagenham (19 010 332)

Statement Upheld Other 27-Feb-2020

Summary: Mr X complained the Council failed to properly consider his reports about anti-social behaviour, dog fouling and littering on a piece of land adjacent to his property. There was some fault in that the Council failed to properly escalate Mr X’s complaint. However, the Council apologised for this and took appropriate action to consider his concerns. This was a reasonable remedy to the complaint.

Reading Borough Council (19 011 999)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Noise 27-Feb-2020

Summary: Ms D complains the Council’s Environmental Health Team failed to investigate a noise nuisance. The Ombudsman has found the Council investigated the noise issue as part of an anti-social behaviour and breach of tenancy case and those actions fall outside of our remit. The Ombudsman is prevented by law from investigating the key actions of the Council in this case and has discontinued the investigation.

London Borough of Sutton (19 017 087)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 27-Feb-2020

Summary: Mrs X complains the Council refuses to remove a tree which she says is dangerous as it obstructs the visibility when entering and exiting her driveway. The Ombudsman does not intend to investigate this complaint as we have seen no evidence of fault in how the Council made its decision.

Birmingham City Council (19 009 121)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Refuse and recycling 26-Feb-2020

Summary: Mrs X complained about the Council’s failure to offer a bagged collection for garden waste where there is no space for a wheeled bin. The Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.

Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council (19 010 289)

Statement Not upheld Trees 26-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman has stopped investigating this complaint about the maintenance of trees and brambles on Council land, along the boundary with Ms B’s property. This is because the Council has agreed to carry out works to control the vegetation and it is unlikely that further investigation would achieve more than this.

North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council (19 012 608)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Antisocial behaviour 26-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the Council’s decision not to take further action against a neighbour who lopped a Council owned tree. Mrs X also raises concerns about Council corruption, nepotism, collusion with police and the way it handled her complaint. It is unlikely an investigation by the Ombudsman would find fault with the way the Council reached its decision showing a significant personal injustice. It is also unlikely the Ombudsman could add to the previous investigation by the Council. The Ombudsman cannot investigate police matters.

Southampton City Council (19 013 332)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Licensing 26-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s low emission taxi incentive scheme. The scheme was approved by the Secretary of State and the Council has properly applied it in Mr X’s case. It is unlikely we would find fault by the Council or that we could achieve anything for Mr X by investigating further.

Northamptonshire County Council (19 014 682)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Antisocial behaviour 26-Feb-2020

Summary: Ms B complains the Council has failed to take appropriate action against children playing ball games in her street. The Ombudsman will not investigate the complaint because an investigation will achieve no useful outcome.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (19 016 788)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Refuse and recycling 26-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate the complainant’s concerns about the Council’s garden waste collection service. He cannot investigate complaints about something affecting all or most of the residents of the Council’s area. The Ombudsman is unlikely to find other fault by the Council has caused the complainant injustice that justifies his involvement.

Durham County Council (19 016 823)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Health and safety 26-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s health and safety investigation after his wife was involved in an accident at work. This is because the complaint is late, there is not enough evidence of fault causing injustice, and it is unlikely an investigation would lead to a different outcome.