London Borough of Hillingdon (24 021 944)

Statement Upheld Commercial and contracts 23-Oct-2025

Summary: Miss X complained about the Council’s actions in relation to a business she runs in a Council-owned property. We have not investigated all aspects of her complaint, as it would be reasonable for her to pursue some matters through the courts. We find the Council at fault for poor communication, failure to act as promised, and poor complaint handling. This caused Miss X avoidable uncertainty, distress, and time and trouble. The Council has agreed to apologise, make a payment to Miss X, and take steps to improve its services.

London Borough of Brent (25 008 711)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Commercial and contracts 21-Oct-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about fees the Council pays a private fostering agency. Further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

West Northamptonshire Council (25 006 023)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Commercial and contracts 20-Oct-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the way the Council considered Mr X’s complaint. We do not consider it a good use of public resources to consider complaints about complaint handling when we are not investigating the substantive issue..

Worcestershire County Council (24 023 151)

Statement Not upheld Commercial and contracts 16-Oct-2025

Summary: Mr X complained of a contractual dispute between his care company and the Council. Mr X also complained the Council failed to safeguard, communicate and complete care reviews for service users. I have ended this investigation as the courts are best placed to consider contractual matters. The remaining part of the complaint has not caused Mr X a significant personal injustice.

Charnwood Borough Council (25 006 434)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Commercial and contracts 12-Oct-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council demolished a garage he rented in its area without notice. This is because the Council already apologised, refunded part of his rent, and paid him a £50 symbolic payment. An investigation is unlikely to achieve anything further, and the remaining injustice is not significant enough to warrant an investigation.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council (25 009 552)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Commercial and contracts 05-Oct-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s role relating during enforcement action by another agency. This is because the Council have already responded and provided Mr X an explanation. Further investigation would not achieve any worthwhile outcome.

London Borough of Lambeth (25 003 854)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Commercial and contracts 16-Sep-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about losses he incurred due to his property being used as temporary accommodation because it is more appropriate for him to take court action and because we could not achieve the outcome he wants.

London Borough of Waltham Forest (25 000 958)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Commercial and contracts 02-Sep-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint the Council owes his business money. That is because the Courts are best placed to deal with contractual matters.

St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council (25 006 346)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Commercial and contracts 02-Sep-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s failure to pay residential care fees. This is because Mr X can reasonably take the matter to court.

Essex County Council (25 006 545)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Commercial and contracts 18-Aug-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to initiate legal proceedings. This is because we do not have jurisdiction to investigate complaints about the start of court action.