Middle Level Commissioners (20 005 018)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Drainage 31-Mar-2021

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Commissioners are failing to prosecute when there is a breach of byelaws intended to protect ‘the banks’ of drainage channels. There is no injustice to Mr X and we cannot achieve what he wants.

Sheffield City Council (20 009 990)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Drainage 26-Mar-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the way the Council dealt with an issue regarding a septic tank. This is because the complaint has been made late.

Cheshire West & Chester Council (20 004 658)

Statement Not upheld Drainage 25-Mar-2021

Summary: There is no fault in how the Council reached its decision Mr B is illegally connected to a highway drain. To settle this dispute Mr B needs a legal determination. Mr B finds it stressful when the Council refers to taking legal action. However, it has not yet done so, and so Mr B is not significantly disadvantaged. There is no fault in how the Council has reached its decision this drain is not a priority for works. The Council regularly maintains the drain and takes action if necessary when it receives reports of problems.

Lancashire County Council (20 012 382)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Drainage 25-Mar-2021

Summary: Ms X complains that the poor resurfacing of her road by the Council has led to flooding in her back garden. We will not investigate the complaint because it is unlikely we can add to the investigation already carried out by the Council and an investigation is unlikely to lead to a different outcome.

Hertfordshire County Council (20 010 908)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Drainage 12-Mar-2021

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s failure to act on his report of blocked gullies near his home which is causing flooding of the highway and damage to his property from splashing by traffic. We should not investigate this complaint. This is because it is unlikely that we would find fault and it is reasonable to expect Mr X to raise any claim for damages through insurers and the courts, who are better placed than the Ombudsman to consider this.

Staffordshire County Council (20 011 520)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Drainage 12-Mar-2021

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s failure to properly clean/maintain the drains in the road outside his house. This is because it would be reasonable for Mr X to serve notice on the Council and take the matter to court.

Lincolnshire County Council (20 009 168)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Drainage 04-Mar-2021

Summary: Mr & Mrs X complain about the granting of planning permission for two new houses in 2014 causing flooding at their home. They also complain about the flood resilience grant offered by the Council. We will not investigate this complaint because the Council was not responsible for granting planning permission. And I have not seen evidence of fault in the way the Council offered the grant.

Isle of Wight Council (20 005 003)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Drainage 01-Mar-2021

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s refusal to accept responsibility for highway run-off onto private property which has caused flooding at times. We should not exercise discretion to investigate this complaint. This is because it concerns a claim about negligence causing damage to private property. It is reasonable for Mr X to seek a remedy in the courts which are the proper body for deciding legal liability.

Ely Internal Drainage Board (20 010 370)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Drainage 23-Feb-2021

Summary: Mr X complains about the Board’s decision not to reduce his drainage rate charge to nil. We will not investigate the complaint because the complaint is a late complaint, we are unlikely to find evidence of fault and we cannot achieve the outcome Mr X seeks.

Rugby Borough Council (20 009 362)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Drainage 29-Jan-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint. This is because we will not investigate a complaint which we have already considered and there is another body better placed to consider the rest of Mr Y’s complaint.