Dorset Council (24 000 914)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Licensing 09-Jun-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of past planning and licencing matters at business premises close to Ms X’s home. This is because past events fall outside our jurisdiction due to the passage of time and because any problems which may arise in the future when the currently empty premises become occupied can be the subject of a new complaint.

Shropshire Council (24 000 328)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Licensing 03-Jun-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s consideration of a taxi licence exemption for a driver under the Equality Act 2010. There is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation. If the exemption is refused the complainant has a right of appeal to the Magistrates Court.

Norwich City Council (24 000 430)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Licensing 03-Jun-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of matters relating to a Prohibition Order served on Mr X as a private landlord. This is because the substantive issue falls outside our jurisdiction due to the availability of appeal rights against the Order to the First Tier Tribunal and because an investigation is unlikely to add to that already carried out by the Council or lead to a different outcome.

Transport for London (23 016 186)

Statement Upheld Licensing 30-May-2024

Summary: Mr C complained about delay by Transport for London in processing his application to obtain a private hire driver’s licence. We uphold the complaint, finding fault by the Authority. It has delayed Mr C being able to sit assessments he needs to pass to obtain a licence, for over a year. This has caused him injustice as distress. The Authority has accepted these findings and at the end of the statement we set out the action it has agreed to take to remedy this injustice and make service improvements.

Chichester District Council (24 000 593)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Licensing 27-May-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about alleged delay by the Council in processing applications from prospective taxi drivers as the complainant is not directly impacted by this plus while general details of alleged fault are provided, there is insufficient evidence of specific fault given. In addition, complaints about delay from individual applicants would need to be made to us by those individuals.

Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council (23 016 113)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Licensing 16-May-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint alleging failures in the Council’s investigation into her reports of breaches of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the Home Boarding for Dogs Licensing Guidelines. There is not enough evidence of fault in the Council’s actions to justify an investigation.

Castle Point Borough Council (23 015 306)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Licensing 16-May-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s management of revenue from taxi licensing as this is best dealt with by the Council’s external auditor; we cannot achieve the outcome the complainant seeks.

South Gloucestershire Council (23 019 859)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Licensing 15-May-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision not to renew the complainant’s taxi driver licence and require him to apply as a new applicant. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

London Borough of Harrow (23 021 301)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Licensing 13-May-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s response to Ms X’s reports of unlicensed Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) operating in her area. This is because we are unlikely to find evidence of fault by the Council sufficient to warrant an investigation.

Bristol City Council (23 016 580)

Statement Upheld Licensing 13-May-2024

Summary: Mr X complained that the Council delayed in renewing his taxi licence. We found the Council was at fault. In recognition of the injustice caused the Council has agreed to make a payment to Mr X.