Refuse and recycling

Kent County Council (18 016 237)

Statement Not upheld Refuse and recycling 15-May-2019

Summary: Mrs B complains that the Council refused to issue vouchers so she could visit a local recycling centre in her pickup truck. The Ombudsman has discontinued our investigation. The Council says it will look at a new vehicle voucher application from Mrs B if she chooses to submit one, so it is unlikely further investigation would lead to a different outcome.

Durham County Council (18 016 701)

Statement Upheld Refuse and recycling 10-May-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the Council refusing to remove garden waste bins that are no longer used by the complainant's neighbours. This is because the complainant has not suffered a significant personal injustice as a result of the Council not removing the bins, and it has taken appropriate action to address the errors in the way it responded to the complainant's concerns.

Birmingham City Council (18 011 764)

Statement Upheld Refuse and recycling 08-May-2019

Summary: The Council failed to collect Mr B's household waste and recycling on several occasions. The Council has apologised for this. It has also agreed to monitor the collections and to take action to deal with any issues it identifies.

London Borough of Sutton (19 000 010)

Statement Upheld Refuse and recycling 02-May-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr B's complaint about the Council's handling of matters relating to the collection of his household waste and its inadequate offer of compensation. This is because it is unlikely an investigation by the Ombudsman would add to the investigation already carried out by the Council or lead to a different outcome.

City of York Council (18 018 543)

Statement Upheld Refuse and recycling 29-Apr-2019

Summary: Mr X complains about the way the Council dealt with his purchase of a second garden waste bin. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint. This is because the Council has confirmed it intends to provide a reasonable remedy.

London Borough of Merton (18 011 580)

Statement Upheld Refuse and recycling 29-Apr-2019

Summary: Mr X has complained about missed refuse collections. There is evidence of fault by the Council.

Leeds City Council (18 004 657)

Statement Upheld Refuse and recycling 11-Apr-2019

Summary: Mr X complains about missed recycling collections. The Council was at fault for not collecting Mr X's recycling. This caused Mr X avoidable frustration and inconvenience. We uphold Mr X's complaint and have agreed a remedy with the Council.

London Borough of Newham (18 014 594)

Statement Not upheld Refuse and recycling 05-Apr-2019

Summary: The complainant alleges the Council failed to collect bulky waste items from his block of flats and he got a large bill from the landlord for removing the items. The Council has offered to repay Mr X its bulky items fee. It will also refund Mr X the money his landlord deducted from his deposit for removing items. Further investigation would not achieve a better result for Mr X. We have discontinued the investigation.

Birmingham City Council (18 010 814)

Statement Upheld Refuse and recycling 05-Apr-2019

Summary: Ms X complained about missed domestic waste collections for the development she lives in. We found fault as the Council regularly missed the domestic waste collection. This caused Ms X avoidable frustration and inconvenience. So, we have recommended a suitable remedy for Ms X.

Northamptonshire County Council (18 009 484)

Statement Upheld Refuse and recycling 03-Apr-2019

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council's policy to limit access to its household waste recycling centres by commercial-type vehicles and towed trailers. The Council was at fault in proposing to charge Mr X for disposing of his garden waste under that policy but not for restricting vehicle types. The Council removed references to classifying garden waste as excessive and charging residents for its disposal from its policy, which put right the fault.