London Borough of Hillingdon (24 009 135)

Statement Upheld Other 30-Sep-2025

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s failure to take prompt and effective enforcement action to prevent the anti-social activities of a neighbouring business. We found the Council to be at fault because it allowed the case to drift and there was poor communication with Mr X. To remedy his frustration and distress, the Council has agreed to apologise, make a symbolic payment and take action to improve its service.

Test Valley Borough Council (25 000 334)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 30-Sep-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s failure to take enforcement action regarding Mrs X’s neighbour and the condition of their gardens. This is because an investigation would be unlikely to find fault with the Council’s actions.

Birmingham City Council (24 022 363)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 29-Sep-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s failure to address a barking dog Ms X has complained about. This is because the complaint is about events that took place more than 12 months ago; it would have been reasonable for Ms X to bring this complaint to us sooner.

Brighton & Hove City Council (25 005 506)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 29-Sep-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council not requiring a neighbour to remove or cut back a bush at the end of his drive, and its reply to his solicitor’s letter. There is not enough evidence of fault by the Council, nor of a sufficiently significant injustice caused to Mr X by the matters complained of, to warrant an investigation. We also cannot achieve the outcome he seeks.

Salford City Council (25 005 722)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 28-Sep-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s roadworks damaging his property, and noise and vehicle access issues. His complaint is a claim of private property damage only an insurer or a court can determine. It is not unreasonable for Mr X to pursue this route to get the outcome he seeks, an outcome we cannot achieve. The noise and access issues are premature as they were not part of Mr X’s Council complaint. It would not have been unreasonable for him to complain about them to the Council first, and any future complaint to us about the same issues would be late.

Dacorum Borough Council (24 011 443)

Statement Upheld Other 25-Sep-2025

Summary: Mr X complained the Council failed to properly investigate his reports of water contamination in his home. We find fault with the Council’s complaint handling, but we find it has already acted to remedy the uncertainty and frustration caused by this.

Manchester City Council (25 004 531)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 25-Sep-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that a Council officer accused him of lying about his address when he was being issued a Fixed Penalty Notice. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council to warrant a further investigation by this office.

North Hertfordshire District Council (25 000 531)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 23-Sep-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a vehicle the Council removed and destroyed because it believed it to be abandoned. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council.

Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council (25 002 541)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 23-Sep-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about how the Council investigated reports of dog fouling at his property. This is because further investigation is unlikely to lead to a different outcome.

London Borough of Hounslow (25 005 540)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 23-Sep-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about how the Council has dealt with cleanliness issues in an area near her property, and how it dealt with her complaint. An investigation would not add to the Council’s investigation nor result in a different outcome. There is not enough evidence of fault to warrant an investigation. There is insufficient significant personal injustice caused to Miss X by the matters complained of to justify us investigating. We do not investigate council complaint-handling where we are not investigating the core issues giving rise to the complaint.