Sueing the local council

MannyLondon

Hi All,

I applied for a vehicle crossover and the application has been refused. The reason provided does not reflect what’s written on the council policy. We involved the local ward councillor and she said that the response for the council looks very inconsistent to say the least. We then had several exchanges with the officer who rejected our application to no avail (they keep coming up with all sort or reasons, he does not understand its own policy, we feel that they are taking the mick).

What’s my options? Can I sue the council? We are well within all mandatory criteria for the application so we really don’t understand why they don’t grant it and the reasons provided don’t add up. We even thought that there is another reason (fraud? Some dodgy stuff going on at the back?). We have a good written trail of evidence and their responses.

unforeseen

What are you planning on suing them for?

MannyLondon

The officer has not applied their own rules properly, the reasons provided for refusing are inconsistent, they keep coming up with new reasons every time we ask to explain and the new reasons are not stated in the policy or procedures. The is absolutely no logical answer, and that is driving me mad. I would have sucked it all in and stop morning if the reasons provided were right and fair. Looks like an officer has decided not to approve our application and that’s it, end of. I would like someone to read the rules, look at the officer’s response, draw a conclusion in an objective manner. I even suspect something really dodgy that might be happening behind the scenes (bribery or some sort of fraud comes to mind). Seriously, it looks so wrong that I couldn’t do anything worse even if I trio ed. This is in effect penalising our household as we are not able to park on our (potential) driveway.

unforeseen

You need to put a complaint into the local government ombudsman in the first instance

https://www.lgo.org.uk/

missile

First option would be an official complaint to the council.

Your local councillor doesn't seem to have done very much on your behalf?

MannyLondon

Thanks a lot, will certainly do that. Very useful. Do they take these things seriously, are they truly impartial?

Tigsteroonie

You have to follow all tiers of the Council's complaints system before you can take matters to the LGO.

I have to say, I've found our council's complaints team quite fair and professional in their investigations but when matters are subjective, they side with the council. I've only used the LGO once, they came down on my side against the council.

MannyLondon

The local councillor seemed helpful at first but she kind of disappeared afterwards. Perhaps she discovered something and then radio silence. All very suspicious. As of today, after many emails, phone calls, voice mails etc we still have not seen a single reason for rejecting our application.

sheramber

I would like someone to read the rules, look at the officer’s response, draw a conclusion in an objective manner.

Then you need to give that 'someone' the relevant information

MannyLondon

sheramber wrote: »

I would like someone to read the rules, look at the officer’s response, draw a conclusion in an objective manner.

Then you need to give that 'someone' the relevant information

Thanks, yes I am putting a dossier together and follow my council’s compliant procedure. Will report back.

missile

MannyLondon wrote: »

Thanks, yes I am putting a dossier together and follow my council’s compliant procedure. Will report back.

I would suggest you keep your letter of complaint brief, i.e. concisely state what the issue is and refrain from any speculation.