Other

London Borough of Camden (18 013 963)

Statement Upheld Other 31-Jan-2020

Summary: The Council failed to provide information to Miss B about the type of development it will allow when she applied to buy the loft above her flat. As a result, Miss B was put to avoidable time and trouble applying to buy the loft, and the unnecessary expense of having architect's plans drawn up. The Council has agreed to make a payment to Miss B, reimburse the cost of the architect's fees and take action to prevent similar failings in future.

London Borough of Harrow (19 006 843)

Statement Upheld Other 24-Jan-2020

Summary: The Council was at fault, because it did not make the correct payments for two properties it was leasing, and the complainant was put to unnecessary time and trouble in resolving the matter. The Council has now paid the correct amounts and offered a financial remedy to reflect the complainant's time and trouble, but has agreed to increase its offer marginally upon recommendation from the Ombudsman.

Harrogate Borough Council (19 006 619)

Statement Not upheld Other 13-Jan-2020

Summary: Mr B complains about the Council's consideration of a planning application for the development of a house close to the rear boundary of his property. There was no fault in the Council's consideration.

Newcastle upon Tyne City Council (18 006 038)

Statement Not upheld Other 27-Nov-2019

Summary: Mrs X complained about poor workmanship by Council contractors making improvements to her property. She says there are still unresolved issues related to the works and the matter has caused her distress. The Council is not at fault.

London Borough of Newham (19 004 327)

Statement Not upheld Other 30-Oct-2019

Summary: Mrs B complains the Council has asked her to repair or replace a wall at her own cost that the Council considers to be potentially dangerous. Mrs B says the Council should pay half the costs and the Council has not followed the correct legal process. We find the courts are in the best position to decide the matter. So, we have ended our investigation.

Broxbourne Borough Council (19 001 511)

Statement Upheld Other 22-Oct-2019

Summary: Mr B complains the Council failed to take effective action to deal with an overcrowded property next to his own which was also a source of anti-social behaviour. We uphold the complaint finding examples of poor customer service in how the Council responded to Mr B's contacts. We consider these caused Mr B injustice as distress and putting him to unnecessary time and trouble. The Council accepts these findings and has agreed to apologise to Mr B and pay him a financial remedy of £400.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council (19 001 378)

Statement Upheld Other 11-Sep-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman found no fault by the Council on Mr D's complaint of it failing to properly investigate his report of a possible conflict of interests of 2 of its officers under its employee code of conduct. The Council properly investigated it. There was poor record keeping as it failed to provide evidence of the officers notifying and obtaining consent to start their business. The fault caused no significant injustice.

Wokingham Borough Council (18 011 001)

Statement Upheld Other 10-Sep-2019

Summary: Ms B complains that the Council misled her as to when it would pay a discretionary housing loan to help her secure a new private rental property. She says this caused her to incur considerable additional costs when moving home and considerable stress. The Ombudsman considers that the apology the Council has already provided, and a review of its procedures represent a suitable remedy for any injustice caused to Ms B.

South Norfolk District Council (19 004 740)

Statement Upheld Other 04-Sep-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about a conversation the complainant overhead. This is because the Council has provided an appropriate response.

London Borough of Waltham Forest (19 000 692)

Statement Upheld Other 05-Aug-2019

Summary: Ms X complained about how the Council provided support to her and her son after they became homeless. There was fault causing injustice when the Council failed to assess the needs of Ms X and her son, placed them in unsuitable temporary accommodation and lost Ms X's personal property. The Council has apologised and paid Ms X £200. It agreed to make an additional payment of £500 to remedy the injustice caused.