Central Bedfordshire Council (20 003 643)

Statement Upheld Other 02-Mar-2021

Summary: Mrs Y complains about the way the Council dealt with her application for a vehicle crossover from her property onto the public highway. The Ombudsman has found fault by the Council causing injustice. The Council has agreed to remedy this by making a payment of £250 to Mrs Y to reflect the distress, time and trouble caused by the fault.

Isle of Wight Council (20 006 705)

Statement Upheld Other 26-Feb-2021

Summary: Mrs B complained the Council’s Contractor wrongly cut a large hole in her hedge without following the legal process required. She experienced distress from the damage caused and she had costs to repair the hedge. The Council was at fault because its Contractor failed to follow the legal process available. It has agreed to make payment to acknowledge the distress and damage caused. It also agreed to ensure its Contractor reminds its workers of the process it must follow before it takes action to cut overgrown vegetation.

Westminster City Council (20 010 811)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 25-Feb-2021

Summary: We will not investigate Mr B’s complaint. This is because it is unlikely we would achieve a different outcome for Mr B on the scaffolding issue and it is not unreasonable to expect him to raise the data protection issue with the Information Commissioner.

London Borough of Lambeth (19 004 471)

Statement Upheld Other 24-Feb-2021

Summary: Miss D complains the Council delayed processing her application to remove a disabled parking bay so she could have a dropped kerb installed. The Ombudsman has found evidence of fault by the Council. He has upheld the complaint and completed the investigation because the Council agrees to the recommended actions including a time and trouble payment.

Hertfordshire County Council (20 010 647)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 24-Feb-2021

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that a contractor working for the Council tried to run him over. This is because the actions he complains about relate to a possible criminal matter which has been reported to the Police.

South Lakeland District Council (20 007 197)

Statement Not upheld Other 23-Feb-2021

Summary: Mr X complained the Council charged him an added fee to pay for parking using his bank card. He said this was an unlawful surcharge. The Ombudsman has discontinued his investigation. This is because it is unlikely we would find fault, the injustice to Mr X is not significant, and we cannot achieve the outcome Mr X wants.

Essex County Council (20 008 136)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 23-Feb-2021

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint that the terms and conditions of a speed awareness course breached the complainant’s statutory rights. This is because we can only investigate a council when it is carrying out at administrative function of the council. The Council does not operate the course as an administrative function but on behalf of the police.

Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council (20 003 116)

Statement Not upheld Other 19-Feb-2021

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s decision to refuse his request for H-bar or keep clear markings on the road in front of his driveway. The Ombudsman found no fault in the Council’s decision making. It was entitled reach the decision it made.

Kingston Upon Hull City Council (20 009 642)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 19-Feb-2021

Summary: Mrs X complained about the Council’s failure to accept liability for injuries which she suffered when she fell on an uneven pavement. We should not exercise discretion to investigate this complaint. This is because it is reasonable for Mrs X to seek a remedy in the courts if her claim against the Council’s insurers is unsuccessful.

London Borough of Tower Hamlets (20 010 358)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 18-Feb-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about an inaccurate statement made by the Council about the complainant. This is because there is insufficient evidence of injustice.