Milton Keynes Council (24 017 157)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 03-Aug-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council not taking enough action to control the growth of highway trees and their alleged effect on the complainant’s home and a nearby footway. We have no power to investigate a decision when there is not enough evidence it was affected by procedural fault, and we could not achieve more than the Council has already done or offered. It would also be reasonable for the complainant to take any unresolved dispute about the Council’s common law duties or evidence about the effect of the trees to court as they are not matters of administration for the Ombudsman to consider.

Leicester City Council (25 005 854)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 03-Aug-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about a Council tree outside her home, which she says has damaged her property. This is because it is reasonable for Mrs X to pursue any claim for compensation through the court.

London Borough of Hillingdon (25 003 010)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 29-Jul-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council refusing to prune overgrown trees on the boundary of Miss X’s home. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault.

South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council (25 003 367)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 29-Jul-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about trees which the complainant says have damaged her property. This is because it is a matter for insurers and because part of the complaint is late.

London Borough of Lewisham (25 004 181)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 29-Jul-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council failed to maintain the boundary between his property and a park. This is because an investigation would not lead to a different outcome, the courts are better placed to determine if the Council is liable for compensation for Mr X’s injury and part of Mr X’s complaint is made late.

Hampshire County Council (25 002 428)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 28-Jul-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the Council's decision not to remove or significantly reduce a tree next to a private estate on which she lives. There is not enough evidence of fault in the Council’s decision-making process to warrant us investigating. It would be reasonable for Ms X and fellow residents to put any claims of legal liability for property damage by the Council before its insurer and then the courts, if required. We also cannot achieve the outcome Ms X wants.

Medway Council (25 002 669)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 27-Jul-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about tree maintenance. This is because the complaint is late.

Malvern Hills District Council (25 006 099)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 14-Jul-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s refusal to allow tree works on protected trees. This is because it was reasonable to expect Mr X to appeal to a government minister. Part of the complaint is also late, and there are no good reasons to investigate it now. We will not separately investigate Mr X’s complaint about a Council officer, as the law prevents us from considering this.

Bedford Borough Council (25 002 255)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 13-Jul-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about damage caused to his wall. This is because it is reasonable for Mr X to go to court.

London Borough of Lambeth (25 003 135)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 13-Jul-2025

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about damage caused by a tree growing in the garden of a Council social housing property. This complaint is not within our legal remit.