Somerset County Council (18 017 663)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Rights of way 10-May-2019

Summary: Mrs X complains the Council made unjustifiable objections to an application to divert a bridleway then forced her into signing a legal agreement requiring her to pay for the maintenance. Mrs X signed the legal agreement in 2016, over three years before she complained to the Ombudsman. Her complaint is late and so falls outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction.

City of York Council (18 010 841)

Statement Upheld Rights of way 09-May-2019

Summary: There was fault in the time it was taking the Council to make an order on Mr X’s application to change the rights of way map. The Council agreed to apologise to Mr X and pay him £250 in recognition of the avoidable distress and uncertainty caused by its delay. The Council also agreed to review its rights of way of service with the aim of reducing its backlog of applications.