57 findings available

Council dealt with complaint in line with procedures

A man believed that North Down and Ards Borough Council should have independently verified whether planning orders had been breached, rather than taking the word of the developer. We did not uphold the complaint.

Investigation Report
Not upheld

Department’s decision not to accept review was in line with rules of scheme.

The Department for Infrastructure was not required to accept a complainant’s request to review her Covid relief application as it was made outside the time period allowed.

Investigation Report
Not upheld

Department failed to properly monitor actions of insolvency practitioner

A complainant claimed that failures by the Department for the Economy resulted in his partner sustaining a significant financial loss.

Investigation Report
Upheld

Ombudsman asks Department to consider all options to address historic concerns over unfinished road.

A road in Larne remains unfinished because the necessary controls or conditions were not put in place before the work began.

Investigation Report
Upheld

Council followed correct procedures when naming new road

Belfast City Council did not need to consult with residents before naming a new road. 

Investigation Report
Not upheld

Complaint about Department's investigation into waste management concerns

A man said the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs failed to investigate his reports of unlawful activity by a waste management company.  

We upheld parts of the complaint.

Investigation Report
Upheld

Complaint about council’s handling of a planning application

We asked Mid and East Antrim Council to apologise to a man for failures in the way it dealt with a planning application.

Investigation Report
Upheld

Complaint about council’s decision to approve planning application

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council failed to fully record the reasons why it approved a planning application for a domestic garage.  However, we found it would not have reached a different decision had the failings not occurred.

Investigation Report
Upheld

Council failed to give reasons for not taking enforcement action

A man claimed Belfast City Council should have asked his neighbour to remove a structure on his driveway.

Although the Council was not required to take action, we found it should have explained to the man why.

Investigation Report
Upheld

Complaint against the Department for Communities

An architect complained that he was unfairly removed from a project to restore a historic monument.

Case Summary