Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about missed refuse collections during strike action. This is because it is a matter which affects all or most people in the Council’s area.

The complaint

1. Mrs X complains about her refuse bins not being emptied during strike action.

Back to top

The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
3. We cannot investigate something that affects all or most of the people in a council’s area. (Local Government Act 1974, section 26(7), as amended)

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by Mrs X, and the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

Back to top

My assessment

5. With reference to paragraph 3 above, we cannot investigate Mrs X’s complaint because it is about a matter which affects all or most people in the Council’s area.

Back to top

Final decision

6. We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint because it is about a matter which affects all or most people in the Council’s area.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman