Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council (19 002 143)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Land 18-Jun-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council has refused to help him fund a new fence on the boundary between his garden and Council land. The Ombudsman cannot determine ownership of and responsibility for the fence, which are matters for a court. The Council considered appropriate information when deciding not to part fund the fence. There is not enough evidence of fault by the Council in its consideration of the matter to warrant an Ombudsman investigation.

Hertfordshire County Council (19 001 865)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Land 17-Jun-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the maintenance of a grass verge and the complainant’s wish to acquire adverse ownership of the verge. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council and because the complainant needs to complain to other organisations.

Wiltshire Council (18 016 896)

Statement Not upheld Land 29-May-2019

Summary: Mr D complains the Council did not give his parents the opportunity to purchase a property adjacent to theirs. The Ombudsman will not investigate further. This is because the complaint is late and the Ombudsman is unable to achieve the outcome Mr D wants.

Manchester City Council (19 000 386)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Land 20-May-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the Council’s responses to her Freedom of Information (FOI) requests regarding covenants on a local plot of land. The body set up to consider FOI matters is the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). It is reasonable to expect Mrs X to make her complaint to the ICO.

Swale Borough Council (18 013 349)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Land 15-May-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision not to take full responsibility for repairing a fence. This is because the Ombudsman does not make decisions about land or property ownership. In addition, the Council has offered to contribute 50% to the cost of the repair.

Exeter City Council (18 018 549)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Land 26-Apr-2019

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s failure to inform who owns a boundary hedge along a highway. The Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint. This is because the Ombudsman cannot determine who owns a property boundary which is a civil matter. Only the courts could give a definitive view.

City Of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (18 004 966)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Land 25-Apr-2019

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s sale of land in 2013. The Ombudsman should not investigate his complaint. This is because the complaint is late and there are not good enough reasons for the Ombudsman to exercise discretion to consider it. Additionally, there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council or evidence of injustice to Mr X.