Devon County Council (20 007 378)

Statement Not upheld Other 23-Mar-2021

Summary: The Council was not at fault for removing Mr and Mrs B's traffic cone from outside their home, or for its consideration of their allegations about the behaviour of its highways officer, who removed the cone. It looked into their allegations but decided the officer's behaviour did not justify disciplinary action. There was no fault in how the Council made this decision, so we cannot question it.

Herefordshire Council (20 001 618)

Statement Upheld Other 08-Mar-2021

Summary: Mr X complains the Council refuses to uphold its statutory duty to keep the highway free from obstacles. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint as it is outside his jurisdiction. Mr X has a remedy in court.

Central Bedfordshire Council (20 003 643)

Statement Upheld Other 02-Mar-2021

Summary: Mrs Y complains about the way the Council dealt with her application for a vehicle crossover from her property onto the public highway. The Ombudsman has found fault by the Council causing injustice. The Council has agreed to remedy this by making a payment of £250 to Mrs Y to reflect the distress, time and trouble caused by the fault.

Isle of Wight Council (20 006 705)

Statement Upheld Other 26-Feb-2021

Summary: Mrs B complained the Council's Contractor wrongly cut a large hole in her hedge without following the legal process required. She experienced distress from the damage caused and she had costs to repair the hedge. The Council was at fault because its Contractor failed to follow the legal process available. It has agreed to make payment to acknowledge the distress and damage caused. It also agreed to ensure its Contractor reminds its workers of the process it must follow before it takes action to cut overgrown vegetation.

London Borough of Lambeth (19 004 471)

Statement Upheld Other 24-Feb-2021

Summary: Miss D complains the Council delayed processing her application to remove a disabled parking bay so she could have a dropped kerb installed. The Ombudsman has found evidence of fault by the Council. He has upheld the complaint and completed the investigation because the Council agrees to the recommended actions including a time and trouble payment.

South Lakeland District Council (20 007 197)

Statement Not upheld Other 23-Feb-2021

Summary: Mr X complained the Council charged him an added fee to pay for parking using his bank card. He said this was an unlawful surcharge. The Ombudsman has discontinued his investigation. This is because it is unlikely we would find fault, the injustice to Mr X is not significant, and we cannot achieve the outcome Mr X wants.

Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council (20 003 116)

Statement Not upheld Other 19-Feb-2021

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council's decision to refuse his request for H-bar or keep clear markings on the road in front of his driveway. The Ombudsman found no fault in the Council's decision making. It was entitled reach the decision it made.

Birmingham City Council (20 009 798)

Statement Upheld Other 16-Feb-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a delay the complainant was having in getting a refund for a dropped kerb application. This is because the Council has paid the refund.

Cambridgeshire County Council (20 003 248)

Statement Upheld Other 02-Feb-2021

Summary: Ms X complains the Council has wrongly taken highways enforcement action against her. On the evidence seen, the Council took enforcement action it agrees it should not have done. Ms X has suffered distress and had to pay to have a fence moved as well as to challenge the Council's enforcement action. The Council has offered to pay Mrs X £10,000 in respect of her financial costs, distress, harm, time and trouble, and personal outrage. This is an appropriate remedy.

London Borough of Sutton (20 006 082)

Statement Not upheld Other 29-Jan-2021

Summary: Mrs D complains about the Council's decision to refuse her application for a dropped kerb. Our view is we should discontinue our investigation, to allow the Council the chance to provide a response to Mrs D's complaint.