Staffordshire County Council (19 008 553)

Statement Upheld Drainage 17-Mar-2020

Summary: the complainant says the Council agreed to complete drainage works outside her home in 2016 but did not do so until 2020. When the complainant followed up the lack of drainage the Council told her it had already completed the work when it had not. The Council accepts it mistakenly confirmed it had completed the work. The Ombudsman finds the Council at fault and recommends a remedy.

Mole Valley District Council (19 015 676)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 17-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the Council’s decision to approve work to trees close to her home. This is because Ms X’s complaint is late and there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council. Ms X’s complaint about her council tax is also late, and it was reasonable for Ms X to use the appeal rights available to her. The Information Commissioner’s Office is better placed to deal with Ms X’s complaint about data protection issues.

Transport for London (19 017 211)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Licensing 17-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the Authority’s decision that the complainant must make a new application for a taxi driver licence. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Authority.

Redditch Borough Council (19 018 384)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Refuse and recycling 17-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about damage to his property he says was caused by a council refuse vehicle. This is because it is reasonable for him to seek compensation through the courts.

Dorset Council (19 018 589)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Licensing 17-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint about a taxi company licensed by the Council. This is because the issue does not concern an administrative function of the Council. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s investigation into the taxi company as it is unlikely we would find fault.

London Borough of Lambeth (19 019 296)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Refuse and recycling 16-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Ms B’s complaint about the Council’s failure to collect a bulky waste item. This is because it is unlikely we could add anything to the investigation the Council has already carried out.

Leeds City Council (19 018 246)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 16-Mar-2020

Summary: Mr X complains the Council refuses to remove 2 trees growing on its land which drop leaves into his garden. The Ombudsman will not investigate as we have seen no evidence of fault in the way the Council considered Mr X’s complaint.

Scarborough Borough Council (19 018 698)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 14-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr and Mrs X’s complaint about a personal injury claim. This is because it is reasonable for them to seek compensation through the courts.

Bristol City Council (19 002 308)

Statement Upheld Noise 13-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman upholds Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s handling of his noise nuisance complaint. The Council’s communication and record keeping was poor. The Council was not at fault for deciding the noise was not a statutory nuisance. The Council will apologise to Mr X and carry out service improvements.

Transport for London (19 003 045)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Licensing 13-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that Transport for London suspended his private hire vehicle licence for one year causing loss of earnings. The complaint is outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction because Mr X had or has legal remedies in court.