London Borough of Croydon (20 011 679)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Councillor conduct and standards 12-Mar-2021

Summary: Mr X complains about the outcome of his complaint about the conduct of a local councillor who Mr X says posted false information about a local traffic scheme on social media. Mr X is opposed to the scheme and says he has been deeply upset by the councillor’s actions. We will not investigate as it is unlikely we will find fault by the Council and we cannot achieve the outcome Mr X seeks.

South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council (20 006 551)

Statement Upheld Covid-19 11-Mar-2021

Summary: There is no fault in the Council’s decision to ban the complainant from its library facilities, after an incident. However, the Council was at fault because it did not set a proper review period for the ban. The Council has agreed to remedy the injustice this caused by setting a review period now. There is no evidence of fault in several other points the complainant has raised.

Kent County Council (20 010 271)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Covid-19 11-Mar-2021

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision to suspend the performance of a circus during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault or significant personal injustice. It is also reasonable for Mr X to take the matter to court if he believes the Council is responsible for the financial loss he incurred.

London Borough of Enfield (20 010 363)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 10-Mar-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about data the Council holds about the complainant which he says is wrong. This is because the complainant can complain to the Information Commissioner.

City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (20 009 685)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Commercial and contracts 09-Mar-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint from a businessman about the Council’s failure to pay him a grant under its Business Growth Scheme. This is mainly because the man’s dispute with the Council about whether he breached the grant agreement is ultimately a matter for the courts to decide on. In addition, the man has complained late about this matter.

City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (20 012 266)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Land 09-Mar-2021

Summary: A businessman complained that the Council had unreasonably decided not to sell him a development site despite having indicated throughout negotiations that his proposal would be acceptable. But we will not start an investigation of this complaint because the businessman has complained late about the matter in question.

Rossendale Borough Council (20 002 084)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Councillor conduct and standards 08-Mar-2021

Summary: Mr X complains the Council has not dealt with his complaint about the actions of a councillor seriously and has not addressed his concern the councillor breached data protection laws. The Ombudsman does not intend to investigate this complaint. It is unlikely that further investigation will lead to a different outcome. And the Information Commissioners’ Office is better placed to consider his concerns about breaches of data protection regulations.

Oxford City Council (20 005 457)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 05-Mar-2021

Summary: Ms X complained that an organisation working in partnership with the Council discriminated against her on the grounds of race by charging her more than other people to hire a room. She says the Council failed to put processes in place to prevent and address systemic racism within partner organisations. Ms X’s complaint is not within the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction as the community centre Ms X complains about is not providing services on behalf of the Council.

Kettering Borough Council (20 011 194)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Councillor conduct and standards 05-Mar-2021

Summary: Mr X complains about the actions of a Council solicitor which he says were unprofessional. We will not investigate this complaint. If Mr X believes the Council has broken a binding legal agreement, he can take the matter to court.

Durham County Council (20 010 757)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Leisure and culture 04-Mar-2021

Summary: On the evidence currently available, we will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about the Council pursuing her for outstanding fees as she had cancelled her leisure centre membership early due to the closure of the swimming pool. This is because the complaint is late and there are no good reasons why the late complaint rule should not apply. There is also insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.