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.

Halton Borough Council (21 016 836)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Drainage 14-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that fault by the Council led to the flooding of property owned by Mr X. This is because Mr X has a court remedy available which we would reasonably expect him to use.

Ipswich Borough Council (21 016 855)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Noise 14-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a letter sent to Mr X by the Council which he considers to be defamatory. This is because an investigation is unlikely to add to the investigation already carried out by the Council or lead to a different outcome and if Mr X believes he has been defamed, the courts are best placed to determine such a claim.

Bracknell Forest Council (21 010 249)

Statement Upheld Noise 14-Mar-2022

Summary: The complainant said the Council failed to investigate a noise nuisance correctly which caused her distress. She said the noise from her neighbour’s flat affected her health. She also complained about the way the Council dealt with her complaint. We found fault only with the way the Council handled this complaint. We have made recommendations.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (21 016 178)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 14-Mar-2022

Summary: Mr X complains about the Council’s decision not to seek TPO consent for the removal of trees from a development site close to his home. We will not investigate the complaint because Mr X has already taken court action in relation to the issue and so the complaint falls outside our jurisdiction.

Rother District Council (20 013 807)

Statement Upheld Antisocial behaviour 14-Mar-2022

Summary: Ms B complained about the way the Council handled complaints of noise nuisance made about her. She further complained about the way the Council responded to her complaints. She said the Council’s actions caused her considerable stress and meant she considered moving house. There was fault by the Council and it will apologise to Ms B.

Birmingham City Council (21 005 331)

Statement Upheld Antisocial behaviour 11-Mar-2022

Summary: Mrs V complains the Council has failed to investigate her complaints relating to noise and anti-social behaviour by her neighbour. She adds that this has meant she has lost the benefit to use and enjoy her property. We found the Council failed to investigate Mrs V’s noise complaint, as legally required to do so. Further, there is no evidence the Council considered its legal obligations to investigate and reduce anti-social behaviour in Mrs V’s community. These failings have caused Mrs V an injustice and the Council has agreed to our recommendations to remedy this.

Buckinghamshire Council (21 009 014)

Statement Upheld Refuse and recycling 11-Mar-2022

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council refuse crew failed to return her garden waste bin to the collection point after emptying it. Mrs X says the Council’s actions cause her strain in retrieving the bin given her age. The Ombudsman found fault with the Council. The Council has already made service improvements and corrected the underlying issue with collections. The Council agreed to the Ombudsman’s recommendation to pay Mrs X £100 to reflect the inconvenience and frustration she experienced.

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council (21 010 194)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Antisocial behaviour 11-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the way the Council dealt with a complaint about damage to a chimney. There is not enough evidence of fault in the Council’s actions. And The Council it is not responsible for damage to the complainant’s property caused by a neighbour. The parts of this complaint about anti-social behaviour are made too late.

Herefordshire Council (21 016 725)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Licensing 10-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the Council’s actions while carrying out an inspection of her business for licensing purposes. This is because Ms X’s main concern relate to a data protection issue and the Information Commissioner is better placed to consider it.