9 findings available

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

Investigation of a complaint against Belfast City Council

We found that a consultation response to a planning application should have been made available on the Planning Portal website.  While this was a record keeping error by the Belfast Planning Service, we found no grounds to question its decision to approve the application.

Investigation Report

Department did not clearly define eligibility for Covid support grant

A business owner said he was unfairly denied a Covid business support grant.  We found that the man’s application was assessed properly, but criticised the Department for the Economy for producing guidance that was not clear.

Investigation Report

Man's complaint leads to broadband access

Case Summary

Investigation finds Department failed to provide clear information over Covid-19 Business Support Scheme

A complainant believed her business should have received financial support during the Covid-19 pandemic.  We asked the Department for the Economy to retrospectively accept and consider her application.

Investigation Report

Investigation into Council’s enforcement action

We investigated a complaint about the way Belfast City Council dealt with claims of a breach of planning control.

Investigation Report

Complaint against the Driver and Vehicle Agency

The Driver & Vehicle Agency failed to manage a complainant's medical assessment in a timely manner, thereby increasing the risk that his licence would expire while his renewal was being processed. The Ombudsman also found that the DVA failed to communicate with the Occupational Health Service to ensure the application was treated as a priority.

Investigation Report