Sheffield City Council (24 005 325)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 17-Jun-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the Council’s decision not to trim a tree near a property she owns, and how it communicated with her and dealt with her complaint. There is not enough evidence of fault in the Council’s decision-making process to warrant us investigating. There is insufficient significant personal injustice caused to Mrs X by the matters complained of to justify an investigation. We do not investigate councils’ communications and complaint handling where we are not investigating the core issues which gave rise to the complaint.

Lancaster City Council (24 015 140)

Statement Upheld Licensing 16-Jun-2025

Summary: Mr B complained the Council misled him about what he had to do to meet the licensing requirements and lied to him about what was required. The Council gave Mr B only one option to meet the licensing requirements despite the fact there were other options available. That is fault and leaves Mr B with some uncertainty about whether some of his costs could have been avoided. A payment of 50% of Mr B’s costs, a payment to him for distress, an apology and reminder to officers is satisfactory remedy.

Spelthorne Borough Council (24 017 630)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Noise 16-Jun-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council failing to take enforcement action against noise nuisance from a gym. There is insufficient evidence of fault, and we are unlikely to be able to add anything worthwhile to the Council’s ongoing investigation.

Transport for London (24 018 791)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Licensing 16-Jun-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about private hire vehicle licensing because further investigation would not lead to a different outcome, we cannot achieve the outcome Mr Y is seeking and it is reasonable for Mr Y to use his right of appeal to go to court.

Birmingham City Council (24 021 169)

Statement Upheld Refuse and recycling 16-Jun-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council failing to provide a replacement household waste bin since early‑November 2024. The Council has now replaced the bin, which is a satisfactory way to resolve the matter.

London Fire Commissioner (24 022 887)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Health and safety 16-Jun-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about damage caused to his home following two visits from London Fire Brigade. Part of the complaint is late. It is reasonable for him to pursue a compensation claim for damage to his property through the courts and an investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

Brighton & Hove City Council (25 000 957)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Refuse and recycling 16-Jun-2025

Summary: We will use our discretion not to investigate this complaint about recycling collections. This is because the service has improved.

High Peak Borough Council (25 001 099)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 16-Jun-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision not to prune a tree. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault causing injustice.

London Borough of Ealing (25 002 627)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Refuse and recycling 16-Jun-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council issuing him a Fixed Penalty Notice for fly tipping. This is because Mr X can raise a defence against the issuing of the notice in court if he considers it was incorrectly issued.

Leicester City Council (24 022 906)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 15-Jun-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council deciding after many months not to do works to protect damaged grass verges on his road. There is not enough evidence of fault in the Council’s decision-making to warrant an investigation. There is insufficient significant personal injustice to Mr X from the matters complained of to justify us investigating. We also cannot achieve the outcome he seeks and investigation would not achieve a different outcome. We do not investigate council complaint-handling and communications where we are not investigating the core issues giving rise to the complaint.