North West Leicestershire District Council (19 007 094)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway repair and maintenance 18-Sep-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the amount of council tax the complainant has to pay. There is no evidence of fault by the Council.

Lincolnshire County Council (19 006 884)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway repair and maintenance 16-Sep-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council’s contractor caused damage to his property. This is because the matter concerns a dispute over liability which is more appropriate for consideration by the courts.

London Borough of Wandsworth (19 005 848)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway repair and maintenance 16-Sep-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about an injury she sustained after falling on a loose paving slab in May 2016. The complaint lies outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction because it is late. Also, this is a complaint about negligence which is a legal matter for the courts to consider and decide.

Warrington Council (19 004 784)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway repair and maintenance 12-Sep-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate whether damage to a car which hit a pothole in the road was caused by the Council’s negligence. This is a matter for the courts to decide. He will not investigate how the Council dealt with a complaint about this because the central issue is outside his jurisdiction.

West Berkshire Council (19 006 058)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway repair and maintenance 11-Sep-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about the removal of a dropped kerb serving her property. The Council’s actions did not cause Miss X injustice.

Northamptonshire County Council (19 006 632)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway repair and maintenance 11-Sep-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s gritting vehicle damaging his car paintwork. Mr X’s complaint is a claim that the Council has been negligent. That is a matter for the courts to decide. The Ombudsman cannot make decisions on such legal matters.

Lincolnshire County Council (19 006 749)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway repair and maintenance 11-Sep-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr B’s complaint about damage to his car when he hit a pothole. It is reasonable to expect Mr B to use his right of remedy in the courts for the compensation he seeks.

Hertfordshire County Council (19 006 651)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway repair and maintenance 10-Sep-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr D’s complaint about damage to his vehicle. The complaint is late, and the courts are better placed to decide if the Council has properly maintained the highway and is liable for the damage to Mr D’s car.

London Borough of Barking & Dagenham (19 005 694)

Statement Upheld Highway repair and maintenance 04-Sep-2019

Summary: Mr X complains the Council damaged his driveway and failed to respond to his complaint. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint. This is because we cannot determine who is financially liable for the damage to his drive. And we consider the Council has offered an appropriate remedy to Mr X for the delays in its responses.

Suffolk County Council (19 005 810)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway repair and maintenance 04-Sep-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council has failed to remove mud and debris from a cycle track. If Mr X believes the Council has not met its obligations under the Highways Act 1980 it would be reasonable for him to take the matter to court.