Has the council done something wrong? (maladministration)

The law says the Ombudsman must look for ‘maladministration’. The definition of maladministration is very wide and can include:

• delay
• incorrect action or failure to take any action
• failure to follow procedures or the law
• failure to provide information
• inadequate record-keeping
• failure to investigate
• failure to reply
• misleading or inaccurate statements
• inadequate liaison
• inadequate consultation
• broken promises

The Ombudsman does not usually criticise the merits of a decision which has been properly taken simply because someone may disagree with it. He or she will however look at the way the decision was made.