London Borough of Hillingdon (21 005 792)

Statement Upheld Other 18-Mar-2022

Summary: Mr X complained about the conduct of civil enforcement officers acting on behalf of the Council in April 2021. We cannot say if the civil enforcement officers acted appropriately on the day, however we have found fault with their administrative practice. The Council agreed to remedy the injustice this caused to Mr X.

London Borough of Havering (21 009 511)

Statement Upheld Other 18-Mar-2022

Summary: Mr D complains the Council failed to correctly investigate his reports about rats and mishandled his complaint. The Ombudsman has not found evidence of fault by the Council in respect of the pest control issue. The Council has already acknowledged fault in the complaints handling. In view of this the Ombudsman has upheld the complaint and completed the investigation because there is no outstanding injustice.

Northumberland County Council (21 016 373)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 15-Mar-2022

Summary: Ms X complains about the manner in which a Council officer spoke to her. We will not investigate the complaint because it is unlikely we can add to the investigation already carried out by the Council or that an investigation will lead to a different outcome.

London Borough of Bexley (21 017 140)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 14-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about a Fixed Penalty Notice he received for alleged littering. This is because Mr X can raise a defence in court.

Swale Borough Council (21 006 993)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 08-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of reports of dogs barking.

Ashfield District Council (21 016 243)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 07-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a fine imposed on Ms X for littering. This is because there is no evidence to suggest fault by the Council.

Transport for London (21 003 359)

Statement Upheld Other 04-Mar-2022

Summary: Mr C said Transport for London was at fault for a failure to inform him testing of taxis had resumed after a pause caused by COVID-19. Transport for London was at fault. It said it would contact Mr C when the pause ended. It did not do so. Nor did it tell him of an extended deadline which would have allowed him to renew his taxi licence. This caused Mr C injustice. he was caused significant distress as he could not pay his bills or work. Transport for London has agreed to pay Mr C £999 to remedy the injustice found.

Leeds City Council (21 005 937)

Statement Not upheld Other 03-Mar-2022

Summary: the complainant, Mr X complained the Council failed to properly exercise its enforcement powers to prevent and remove mud and dust collecting on the public highway. The Council says it considered its powers, investigated the complaints, and issued a statutory notice. It accepts some delay arose due to Covid-19. We found the Council considered and exercised its enforcement powers without fault.

Manchester City Council (21 016 074)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 03-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council responded to reports of a possible statutory nuisance. This is because the complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. The complaint is late and could have been made to the Ombudsman much sooner. Even if the complaint was not late, we would not investigate. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council to warrant an investigation.

St Albans City Council (21 006 367)

Statement Upheld Other 24-Feb-2022

Summary: Mr X complains the Council was at fault as it missed waste and recycling bin collections at his property in 2021. But this fault did not cause Mr X an injustice as the Council apologised and resolved the issues. We found no evidence of fault in the way the Council responded to Mr X’s concerns about road sweeping, overgrown vegetation, and parking issues near to his home. So, we are completing our investigation.