Westmorland and Furness Council (23 000 172)

Report Upheld Other 15-May-2023

Summary: As a result of another investigation by us, we are aware that since October 2021 the Council’s predecessor, Cumbria County Council, delayed investigating complaints at stage two of the children’s statutory complaints procedure. The delays are likely to have caused frustration and distress and, in some cases, mean complaints remain unresolved.

Westmorland and Furness Council (22 015 661)

Statement Upheld Friends and family carers 22-May-2023

Summary: We uphold Ms X’s complaint the Council failed to comply with the Children Act statutory complaints’ procedure. The Council has now agreed to do so.

Westmorland and Furness Council (23 001 448)

Statement Upheld Child protection 28-Sep-2023

Summary: Mr X complained about the outcome of the Council’s investigation under the statutory children’s complaints procedure into its involvement in his daughter, F’s care and its decision to try and obtain a care order. The Council properly investigated Mr X’s complaints but failed to provide an adequate remedy for the injustice caused by the faults it identified. The Council agreed to apologise to Mr X and make a payment to acknowledge the distress, frustration and uncertainty caused.

Westmorland and Furness Council (23 008 680)

Statement Upheld Other 20-Nov-2023

Summary: We have upheld this complaint because the Council delayed considering a complaint under the children’s statutory complaints procedure. The Council has now agreed to resolve the complaint by progressing the complaint to stage two of the procedure and completing its investigation without further delay. It will also apologise and offer to make a payment to the complainant to remedy the time and trouble they have been too.

Westmorland and Furness Council (23 000 419)

Statement Upheld Building control 26-Feb-2024

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s building control and environmental health investigations regarding his reports of smoke nuisance from a neighbour’s chimney. There was no fault in the Council’s environmental health or building control investigations. There was a delay in the Council’s complaints process, but the Council has already apologised for the injustice caused by the delay.

Westmorland and Furness Council (23 018 472)

Statement Upheld Planning advice 30-Mar-2024

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the Council’s planning advice service. This is because the Council has provided a suitable remedy for its delay and it is unlikely investigation would achieve anything more for her. If Mrs X wants a binding decision on her proposal she may wish to apply for planning permission and if the Council refuses her application it would be reasonable for her to appeal.