Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (24 020 867)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 04-Mar-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs B’s complaint that Council-owned trees are damaging her property. This is because it is reasonable for Mrs B to take the Council to court.

Stevenage Borough Council (24 016 214)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 25-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision not to cut back trees near his home because the complaint is late and there are no good reasons why it could not have been made sooner and in time.

Leeds City Council (24 016 461)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 24-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council allegedly failing to ensure trees which were poisoned over ten years ago are replaced and replanted. He also says the Council has failed to take enforcement action against the rejection of a mobile home on the same land. The issues raised in respect of the trees are historical and it is not the role of the Ombudsman to investigate these. There is also insufficient evidence of fault by the Council with respect to its power to enforcement action for breach of planning law.

North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council (24 017 266)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 18-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision not to prune a tree. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

London Borough of Camden (24 007 486)

Statement Upheld Trees 17-Feb-2025

Summary: Mr B complained about the Council’s failure to respond to his complaints about an enforcement matter which caused him confusion. We found fault with the way the Council responded to his complaints. The Council has agreed to apologise and pay him £100.

Mansfield District Council (24 016 151)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 14-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about trees damaging Mr X’s property. This is because the complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. It is reasonable for Mr X to apply to the courts.

City of Wolverhampton Council (23 021 070)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 13-Feb-2025

Summary: We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council failed to maintain a tree in its area which poses a risk to his property. This is because it is reasonable to expect Mr X to take the matter to the Council’s insurers and, ultimately, the courts.

Coventry City Council (24 016 882)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 11-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s handling of a liability claim. This is because it is reasonable to expect Mr X to pursue his claim through the Council’s insurers and then courts.

Havant Borough Council (24 013 113)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 07-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about damage caused to Mr X’s property from a fallen tree as we have already considered this matter. Mr X has a legal remedy to address any damage caused to his property from other trees and we cannot impose on the Council how it should operate its planning policy in respect of trees.

London Borough of Merton (24 019 511)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Trees 06-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council failing to maintain a street tree according to its published schedule. This is because the complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. It is reasonable for the complainant to put claim on the Council’s insurance, and if the claim is refused, take the Council to court.