Land sales and disposals This fact sheet is aimed primarily at people who have concerns that the council did not follow the correct procedures when disposing of some land and may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. I am unhappy about the council’s decision to sell or dispose of land or buildings; or about the way it went about such a sale or disposal. Can the Ombudsman help me? Ye ...

Top tips for making a complaint about local authorities Before we can look at your complaint, you must complain to the organisation involved and give it a chance to sort out your problem. These tips will help make that process easier for you and the person dealing with your complaint. Some organisations encourage you to tell them about your issue before making a formal complaint. This could be th ...

School transport This fact sheet is aimed mainly at parents who have been refused help from the council with their child’s transport costs to school and may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. I have been refused help with my child’s transport costs to school. Can I complain to the Ombudsman? Yes, in some circumstances. The Ombudsman cannot question the council’s decision, if it t ...

Housing applications This fact sheet is aimed primarily at people who have applied to the council for housing and have problems with the way the council is dealing with their application and may be considering making a complaint to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. I need to move urgently but the council has not yet rehoused me. Can the Ombudsman help me? Yes, in some circumstances. ...

Your tenant's claims for housing benefit (complaining as a landlord) This fact sheet is aimed primarily at landlords whose tenants are experiencing problems with their housing benefit and may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. My tenant cannot pay his rent as he has problems with his housing benefit claim. Can the Ombudsman help me? We would normally expect tenants who have probl ...

Conservation areas This fact sheet is mainly for people who have concerns about the council approving a neighbour’s planning application in a conservation area and who may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. Planning permission has been granted for development which will spoil the special character or appearance of the conservation area in which we live. Can the Ombudsman help? Yo ...

Taxi and private hire vehicle licensing This fact sheet is aimed at people who are concerned that the council is not taking appropriate action over issues relating to taxis and private hire vehicles and may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. I am unhappy with the way the council has handled my concerns about taxi or private hire vehicle licensing. Can the Ombudsman help me? We ca ...

Complaints about how your planning application is dealt with This fact sheet is aimed primarily at planning applicants who have concerns about the way the council has dealt with their planning application and may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. I have a problem with my application for planning permission - can the Ombudsman help me? In many cases, no. This is because, by law, ...

General planning advice (complaints about) This fact sheet is aimed mainly at people who have received advice from the council about planning matters and may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. I asked the council if I could object to the works happening across the road. The council said the works did not need planning permission. I do not think this is right. Can the Ombudsman he ...

Section 106 agreements (planning obligations) This fact sheet is aimed primarily at people who have concerns about the way a section 106 agreement (or planning obligation) has been considered or enforced. It provides some guidance for people who may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. What are section 106 agreements? New development can place extra burdens on the existing infrastr ...