Cheshire East Council (21 006 817)

Statement Upheld Drainage 14-Feb-2022

Summary: Miss X complained the Council did not take proper action in response to her complaint about a flooding problem on the carriageway outside her property. The Council was at fault because it delayed completing an investigation. This caused Miss X uncertainty, frustration and time and trouble. The Council has agreed it will apologise to Miss X and pay her £100 for the frustration, time and trouble the matter has caused her. The Council will also complete its investigation and inform Miss X of the outcome and the action it proposes to take.

Devon County Council (21 004 807)

Statement Not upheld Drainage 07-Jan-2022

Summary: Mr B complained about recent highway resurfacing works carried out by the Council near to his home. He said that as a result of the works his driveway floods in moderate to heavy rainfall. There was no fault by the Council.

Suffolk County Council (21 002 999)

Statement Not upheld Drainage 06-Jan-2022

Summary: Mr X complained the Council has failed to clear a ditch and maintain the drains along roads near his property. He says this has led to flooding affecting his garden and on the road. The Council was not at fault.

Cheshire East Council (21 001 585)

Statement Upheld Drainage 09-Dec-2021

Summary: Mr D complained the Council failed to take preventive action when he reported a blocked drain. We find the Council was at fault for its communication with Mr D. The Council apologised for this when it responded to Mr D's complaint. It has also agreed to carry out service improvements to prevent a reoccurrence of the fault.

Kent County Council (21 000 430)

Statement Upheld Drainage 04-Nov-2021

Summary: Mr F complained about the Council's handling of his reports about drainage issues in the Highway, which caused flooding of his garden and driveway. He also said it failed to keep him informed about its works. As a result, Mr F said he experienced distress and uncertainty. We found the Council failed to follow its Policy and caused delays. It also failed to keep Mr F properly informed about the progress of its planned works. The Council has agreed apologise and make payment to Mr F to acknowledge the distress and uncertainty this caused him. It also agreed to review how it keeps service users informed about its works to prevent ongoing flooding.

Essex County Council (20 014 039)

Statement Not upheld Drainage 28-Oct-2021

Summary: Mr X complains that the Council has neglected a watercourse, causing his property to flood. Mr X says the paths around his large pond are inaccessible when it floods. He says flooding affects his boat launch, and his shooting and fishing sites. The Ombudsman does not find the Council at fault.

Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council (20 003 605)

Statement Upheld Drainage 20-Oct-2021

Summary: Mr X complains that the Council failed to investigate and take action in relation to a drainage problem which has caused flooding and damage to his property. The Ombudsman has found fault with the Council's communication, causing Mr X uncertainty about the priority given to his case. The Council will apologise for the injustice caused.

Environment Agency (20 005 127)

Statement Not upheld Drainage 22-Sep-2021

Summary: Mrs B complains the Environment Agency ("EA") did not carry out a proper risk assessment when responding to a planning application for flood defence works and issuing an environmental permit. Mrs B says her house is downstream of the works. Her area has experienced increased flooding since the works, and she is concerned about the risk to her home. The Ombudsman will not investigate the EA as a statutory consultee to the planning application as this is not within our jurisdiction. We will discontinue the investigation into the decision to issue an environmental permit as it is unlikely we could find fault or achieve a different outcome for Mrs B.

Kent County Council (20 011 412)

Statement Upheld Drainage 13-Sep-2021

Summary: Mr X complained the Council failed to reduce the risk of surface flooding to his home after it was flooded in 2018. He said the lack of action contributed to his home flooding again in 2020. The flooding in 2020 was not due to fault by the Council. The Council was at fault when it failed to update Mr X with the result of drainage investigations in 2019 after agreeing to do so. It agreed to apologise to Mr X for the frustration and uncertainty that caused him.

Suffolk County Council (20 013 060)

Statement Not upheld Drainage 09-Sep-2021

Summary: The Council's offer to visit the site to respond to a complaint that a drainage pipe is blocked remedies the complainants concerns. This will establish if the Council is able to take action or if it is a private legal matter between two landowners.