Omb Ref
Which Omb
Directorate
Service Area
Date of final decision

Outcome

Summary of Final Decision

 Actions (as list with dates for completion)

Date Actions Complete (as corresponding list)

23 014 467
LGSCO
Place
Planning Enforcement
30/01/2024

Closed after initial enquiries – out of jurisdiction

We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision not to take enforcement action in relation to a planning condition attached to a development in Mr X’s locale. This is because Mr X is complaining as a councillor and not a member of the public so the complaint falls outside our jurisdiction.

NA

NA

23 016 368
LGSCO
Children & Education
Short Breaks
19/02/2024

Premature

We will not pursue the complaint because it has not yet been through your own complaints’ procedures. If you consider it would be impossible for the Council to resolve the complaint through its own procedures, please let us know immediately and explain why.

NA

NA

23 014 405
LGSCO
Children & Education
Children in need of protection
23/02/2024

Closed after initial enquiries – out of jurisdiction

We cannot investigate this complaint about how the Council assessed the complainant’s parenting skills. This is because the assessment has been considered in court.

NA

NA

23 001 150
LGSCO
Children & Education
Children in need of protection
27/02/2024

Upheld: fault and injustice

Miss Y complains the Council wrongly withdrew a proposed package of extended financial support for a Special Guardianship Order (SGO). The complaint was investigated through the statutory complaints procedure but did not conclude with the outcomes Miss Y hoped for. In our view, the investigation was thorough and evidence based but there is some outstanding personal injustice which the Council has agreed to remedy.

By the 26th March
* Pay £250 in recognition of the distress caused to Miss Y when the Council raised her expectations because of poor communication; and
* Pay a further £150 in recognition of the significant delays during the complaints investigation.

By the 16th April
* Contact Miss Y to ask whether she would like to complete an updated SGO financial assessment. This may be beneficial in light of recent changes to her household’s circumstances;
* Remind relevant social workers to manage expectations and to be mindful of how they communicate with carers about financial offers which remain subject to management approval. This could be through a briefing paper, team meeting or part of a training session
* Remind those involved in statutory children’s complaint investigations, and investigating officers, of the timescales in the statutory guidance. This could be through a briefing paper, team meeting or part of a training session.

All actions completed within timescales

23017119
LGSCO
Place
Highway
01/03/2024

Not upheld: no fault

We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s
policy not to allow pedestrians or cyclists to access the main area of a waste recycling centre area. This is because an investigation would be unlikely to find fault with the Council’s actions

NA

NA

23016035
LGSCO
Place
Planning Enforcement
01/03/2024

Closed after initial enquiries – no further action

We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the contents and issue of a warning letter for an alleged breach of planning control. This is because the Council’s actions did not cause Mr X significant injustice warranting an investigation.

NA

NA

23017432
LGSCO
Place
Highways Regs
27/03/2024

Closed after initial enquiries – no further action

We will not investigate this complaint about signage
because there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating

NA

NA

23011530
LGSCO
Place
Waste
05/03/2024

Upheld: fault and injustice

Miss X complained the Council repeatedly failed to collect her household waste as part of its assisted collection service. Miss X says the Council’s actions have caused her avoidable stress and frustration. We found fault by the Council and the Council has agreed to apologise to Miss X and provide a financial remedy.

To address the injustice to Miss X, the Council has agreed to take the following action within one month of the final decision:
* Provide an apology to Miss X. We publish guidance on remedies which sets out our expectations for how organisations should apologise effectively to remedy injustice. The organisation should consider this guidance in making the apology
 I have recommended in my findings;
* Make a symbolic payment of £200 to Miss X in recognition of the stress and frustration caused;
* Agree in writing with Miss X, a collection/return point for her waste containers, and to share this information with the waste collection crews.

The Council has also agreed to take the following additional action within three months of the final decision:
* Review the Council’s process for issuing reminders to the waste crews to identify any improvements in how it carries out its assisted collection service, and
* Extend the in-cab prompts regarding Miss X’s collections for three months from the date of the final decision.

All actions completed within timescales

23019133
LGSCO
Corporate Services
Council tax
11/04/2024

Not upheld: no further action

We will not investigate this complaint about added charges in connection with debt recovery action by agents of the Council. This is because the enforcement fees and charges were entitled to be added as they are the result of the complainant’s non-compliance with a court issued liability order for unpaid council tax

 NA

NA

23019379
LGSCO
Place
Planning
12/04/2024

Not upheld: no further action

We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision that a house extension is permitted development. There is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating.

 NA

NA

23019220
LGSCO
Adult Social Care & Integration
Social Care
18/4/2024

Not upheld: no further action

We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’ decision not to allow Mrs X to return to temporary accommodation. This is because an investigation would be unlikely to find fault with the Council’s actions.

 NA

NA

23009888
LGSCO
Place
Housing Standards
29/04/2024

Not upheld: no fault

Mrs B says the Council failed to provide her with clear
guidance about the disabled facilities grant process, failed to properly
consider her needs, failed to take action when the works completed
by the contractor are not fit for purpose and wrongly paid the
contractor. There is no fault by the Council.

 NA

na

23020075
LGSCO
Place
Housing Management
08/05/2024

Closed after initial enquiries – out of jurisdiction

We cannot investigate this complaint that the Council will
not cut back a tree near Mr X’s home as this complaint relates to the
Council’s role as a social housing provider and so is not within our
remit.

 NA

NA

23021064
LGSCO
Place
Planning
09/05/2024

Closed after initial enquiries – no further action

We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s
decision to grant planning permission to develop land which the
complainant says is a full and free right of way. We cannot determine
the status of the land. Nor can we require the Council to withdraw the
planning permission. Both of which are outcomes the complainant is
seeking.

 NA

NA