Archive for May, 2010

North Tyneside guilty of maladministration after barring resident from meetings

The Local Government Ombudsman has found North Tyneside Council guilty of maladministration after it barred a man from council meetings. The Ombudsman, Anne Seex, recommended that the local authority train staff on the public’s right to attend meetings and established public law principles in relation to administrative decision-making. Mr H’s relationship with various representatives of [...]

Is the Council using ‘Big Brother’ spies?

Councils stand accused of the use of covert surveillance powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) — designed to tackle terrorism – to tackle petty crimes such as noise nuisance and fly-tipping. But is Rochdale Borough Council doing so? Despite a Freedom of Information request by pressure group Big Brother Watch, Rochdale Borough [...]

Pensioner slams council for parking fine anguish

A PENSIONER claims she endured months of hell because of a mix-up over a parking fine. Conwy County Council chiefs threatened to send the bailiffs round to the home of widow Elizabeth Hughes, 69, from Anglesey, after she failed to pay a £30 parking ticket. Mrs Hughes wrote two letters appealing the ticket, which she [...]

Council should “do the right thing” over King’s Park fines, say lawyers

“WE must have justice in our own back yard” – that’s the warning from a leading lawyers’ group that believes Bournemouth council must refund £100,000 of traffic fines. The Bournemouth and District Law Society is among those calling for the council to “do the right thing” and repay the thousands of motorists who were fined [...]

Freedom Pass taken off woman with learning disabilities

A woman with learning disabilities has been stripped of her free travel pass after a west London council said that her IQ was too high for her to qualify. Yvonne Chappell, 39, has had a Freedom Pass for 10 years but Hounslow Council turned down her renewal application. The west London council said its ruling [...]

Council Pays £60k Following Complaints

COMPLAINTS against Cardiff council to a local government watchdog have resulted in payouts totalling more than £60,000, the Echo can reveal. The data, released under the Freedom of Information Act, showed the Public Services Ombudsman has investigated 422 complaints into the council over the past five years. In 75 of these investigations the council was [...]

Huddersfield Solicitor Helps Grandmother Wins 5 Year Battle With Kent County Council

A GRANDMOTHER who battled for five years with Kent County Council to be paid the same rate as a foster carer for looking after her granddaughter, has won her case in the High Court in London. The grandmother who cannot be named for legal reasons, fought for the right to be paid fairly for looking [...]

Bungling Council Orders 20 Dead People To Court For Not Paying Council Tax

A local council has been forced to apologise after sending council tax bills and court orders to 20 people who have passed away. The families of the deceased were distraught to receive court summonses addressed to their loved ones – some of whom died 10 years ago. Croydon Council in South London admitted the mistake, [...]

Councillors ‘Misled’ Over Bypass Decision

Burton and Dalby Parish Council used a Freedom of Information request for details used to inform borough councillors on whether to choose the north or south option for the first part of a bypass. Melton Council opted for the northern route which will be funded by 1,000 homes. But in a letter to Lynn Aisbett, [...]

Frail and elderly people wait years for basic disability equipment

Frail pensioners are being forced to wait up to eight years for vital improvements to be made to their homes to help them live independent lives again, an investigation has found. Many elderly people waited so long for help that they were moved into care homes before help was provided Photo: PA Charities said elderly [...]