East Riding of Yorkshire Council (23 019 714)
Category : Other Categories > Leisure and culture
Decision : Closed after initial enquiries
Decision date : 14 Mar 2024
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to increase prices at a local leisure centre. This is because this matter has not caused Mr X a personal injustice.
The complaint
- Mr X complained that a Council managed leisure centre has increased its membership and pay as you go session fees.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
- We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start or continue an investigation if we decide:
- any fault has not caused injustice to the person who complained; or
- any injustice is not significant enough to justify our involvement.
- (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B)
How I considered this complaint
- I considered information provided by Mr X and the Council.
- I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
- Mr X complained to the Council after prices at a local leisure centre increased for both annual membership and pay as you go sessions. Mr X said the increase was affordable for him, but it may not be for others.
- The Council explained the financial challenges which led to the increase and invited Mr X to discuss the matter further either in person or over the phone, but Mr X declined. Mr X then brought his complaint to the Ombudsman.
- The Ombudsman will not investigate matters where the complainant has not sustained a personal injustice due to the Council’s actions. As Mr X has confirmed the price increase is affordable for him, it is unlikely that he has been put to distress or inconvenience by the Council’s decision. An investigation into this matter would not be a good use of resources.
Final decision
- We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because this matter has not caused Mr X a personal injustice.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman