London Borough of Ealing (19 018 887)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Parking and other penalties 11-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about the Council’s handling of a penalty charge notice. This is because it would be reasonable for her to take the matter to the Traffic Enforcement Centre.

Slough Borough Council (19 011 408)

Statement Not upheld Parking and other penalties 11-Mar-2020

Summary: Mr X complains the Council has not properly explained its involvement regarding the removal of a vehicle from land near his property. The file notes of the Council’s actions in relation to the car are not clear and consistent. On balance, the evidence does not show the Council removed the car. The matter has been reported to the police who are better placed to investigate.

East Cambridgeshire District Council (19 017 714)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Parking and other penalties 11-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the Council issuing a fixed penalty notice for a parking offence. This is because the courts were better placed to decide whether the notice was valid.

Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council (19 018 117)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway repair and maintenance 11-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr B’s complaint about highway defects. This is because, if the issue remains unresolved, it is not unreasonable to expect Mr B to go to court, seeking assistance if he feels this is necessary.

London Borough of Lewisham (19 018 479)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Parking and other penalties 11-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about a penalty charge notice issued by the Council. This is because his injustice stems from his agreement with the hire company and it has now paid the penalty charge.

North Lincolnshire Council (19 018 929)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway repair and maintenance 10-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about how the Council has dealt with his claim for compensation after his car was damaged by a pothole. It is reasonable to expect Mr X to take court action for the compensation he seeks, and the complaint is therefore outside the Ombudsman’s legal remit.

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (19 019 002)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 10-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about how the Council dealt with his personal injury claim. It is reasonable to expect Mr X to seek a remedy in the courts and so the complaint is outside the Ombudsman’s legal remit.

Essex County Council (19 005 725)

Statement Upheld Other 10-Mar-2020

Summary: Miss X complained the Council approved and then changed its mind to reject her application for a dropped kerb causing her to spend £5,250 on a contractor for works that could not then be carried out. The Council was at fault for how it handled her application, causing Miss X an injustice. However, its apology and offer to refund her application fee are appropriate remedies. Miss X chose to pay the contractor up front in cash for the work on a non-refundable basis. The Council was entitled to decide the evidence she has provided for this spend is not adequate to permit it to pay her the £5,250 she claims. Its offer to discuss the invoice with the contractor, once Miss X gives it permission is appropriate.

Royal Borough of Greenwich (19 018 025)

Statement Upheld Parking and other penalties 10-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s delay in dealing with his information challenge to a penalty charge notice. This is because the delay did not cause him significant injustice.

Cheshire East Council (19 018 154)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway repair and maintenance 10-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s grass cutting and weed control as it is unlikely we would find fault causing him significant injustice. We will not investigate his complaint about the state of the public highway as it would be reasonable for Mr X to take the matter to court.