Peterborough City Council (20 010 186)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Licensing 23-Mar-2021

Summary: Mr X complains about the Council’s handling of issues relating to the selective licence he, as a landlord of private rented accommodation, is required to have. We will not investigate the complaint because the availability of appeal rights to the Residential Property Tribunal places it outside our jurisdiction and we will not look at the Council’s licensing of other landlords.

London Borough of Brent (20 003 885)

Statement Upheld Noise 23-Mar-2021

Summary: Mr X complains the Council has failed to take sufficient action about a statutory noise nuisance and fire risk at his neighbour’s property. He also says he was given incorrect information by the Council about its investigation of his neighbour’s property. The Council is at fault and has caused injustice, for which it has agreed to provide a financial remedy.

North West Leicestershire District Council (20 006 166)

Statement Not upheld Antisocial behaviour 22-Mar-2021

Summary: Mrs P has complained about the Council failing to provide her the opportunity to make comments before it issued a remedial notice against her. However, there is a right of appeal against a remedial notice to the Planning Inspectorate. Mrs P used her right of appeal and so the Ombudsman has no jurisdiction to investigate. The Ombudsman therefore has discontinued his investigation.

Mid Sussex District Council (20 007 192)

Statement Upheld Trees 22-Mar-2021

Summary: Mrs X complains of fault in the Council’s handling of a planning application for removal of a protected tree. There is a lack of evidence that the Council took account of representations made by Mrs X on the application. However, the complaint was closed because the identified fault did not cause Mrs X significant injustice.

Manchester City Council (20 008 091)

Statement Upheld Refuse and recycling 22-Mar-2021

Summary: The Council was at fault for missing Mr X’s bin collections for part of October 2020. It has already accepted fault, explained why the collections were missed, apologised, and improved its practice. These actions have already remedied Mr X’s injustice.

London Borough of Enfield (20 011 624)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Covid-19 22-Mar-2021

Summary: We shall not investigate this complaint about the Council not closing a coffee shop because of alleged COVID-19 breaches. The Council’s alleged fault has not disadvantaged Mr X directly and significantly enough to warrant investigation.

Medway Council (20 008 096)

Statement Upheld Refuse and recycling 19-Mar-2021

Summary: Mrs F complained to the Council about the conduct of the contractors who were reversing onto her driveway and behaving in an antisocial manner. The Council apologised to Mrs F and agreed to carry out actions to remedy her complaint which Mrs F says it did not do. She also complained about the Council’s handling of her complaint. We find fault with the Council’s handling of the complaint. It has agreed to apologise to Mrs F and pay her £150 for putting her to the time and trouble of complaining and for the upset caused by antisocial behaviour.

Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea (20 011 885)

Statement Upheld Noise 19-Mar-2021

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council did not fairly investigate reports of noise nuisance coming from church land late at night. The Council has taken appropriate action to remedy the injustice. It has apologised to Mr X, offered a meeting about future relations, and dealt with the poor communication.

Ashfield District Council (20 009 067)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 18-Mar-2021

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs B’s complaint about a fixed penalty notice she received from the Council for an alleged littering offence. This is because it is for the courts to decide if an offence has taken place. Also, an investigation solely into Mrs B’s complaint about the conduct of an officer involved is not justified.

Birmingham City Council (20 012 075)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Refuse and recycling 18-Mar-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about an allegation of damage caused by the Council from a leaky refuse lorry, as it would be reasonable for Mr J to ask a court to decide the question of legal liability for the damage. The Council has taken action to reduce any future risk and there is not enough evidence of administrative fault by the Council to warrant investigation.