Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council (19 017 538)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 10-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about a Fixed Penalty Notice for littering. This is because the complaint is late, and Mr X could have complained to the Ombudsman much sooner. Mr X paid the fine and discharged his liability for the offence. If Mr X wanted to challenge the fine, the courts were better placed to consider the evidence and decide if the offence occurred.

London Borough of Merton (19 018 665)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 10-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about a Fixed Penalty Notice she received for littering. This is because the courts are better placed to consider the evidence and decide if the offence occurred.

Coventry City Council (19 013 765)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Refuse and recycling 09-Mar-2020

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council failing to ensure that domestic waste bins are placed away from the kerb where he has to move them or risk damage to his car. The Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint. This is because there is insufficient evidence of injustice to Mr X which would warrant an investigation.

London Borough of Harrow (19 016 352)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 09-Mar-2020

Summary: Mr X complained about overgrown gardens which he says are affecting a private rear access route to his property. He wants the Council to take action. The Ombudsman should not exercise his discretion to investigate this complaint. This is because it concerns matters which he was aware of more than 12 months before complaining to us.

Bedford Borough Council (19 017 171)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 09-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s assessment of a tree covered by a Tree Preservation Order, and its decision not to allow him to lop or remove it. Mr X had a right of appeal to the Planning Inspectorate against the Council’s decision which it was reasonable for him to have used. The appeal was the appropriate formal route for him to follow to challenge the decision and how it was made, and get the permission he wants.

London Borough of Enfield (19 017 918)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 09-Mar-2020

Summary: Mr x complains the Council failed to follow the correct process when it issued him a fixed penalty notice for littering. The Council has refunded the money he paid and offered a sum in compensation for poor customer service. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint as investigation is unlikely to lead to a different outcome. Nor can we recommend compensation for personal injury.

West Sussex County Council (19 018 301)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Refuse and recycling 09-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision not to accept a district council parking permit as acceptable proof to allow access to the Household Waste and Recycling sites. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

Durham County Council (19 017 769)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Refuse and recycling 09-Mar-2020

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s policy to charge for replacement bins, which he says affects him disproportionately as someone who regularly has their bins stolen. We will not investigate this complaint. It is unlikely we would find fault in the Council’s actions, or that we would find Mr X has experienced significant injustice caused by the Council’s actions.

Warwick District Council (19 017 836)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Refuse and recycling 09-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about charges for replacement recycling containers. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault and injustice.

Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council (19 018 507)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Licensing 08-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint about being fined for not having a licence for his rental property. This is because the Ombudsman cannot consider matters that have been heard in court.