Leicester City Council (19 013 777)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Leisure and culture 14-Jan-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint arising from an incident at a Council-run leisure facility in July 2018. It is unlikely an investigation would lead to a worthwhile outcome.

Leicester City Council (19 013 375)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Leisure and culture 09-Jan-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about action the Council took after the complainant did not give sufficient notice to end his leisure centre membership. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council and because it has decided to waive the £10 fee.

Arun District Council (19 009 881)

Statement Not upheld Leisure and culture 09-Jan-2020

Summary: Mr B complains about how the Council handled beach hut licence issues from 2014 onwards and refers to fault in rent charges in 2019. The Ombudsman is discontinuing the investigation because there is insufficient injustice relating to the beach hut rent to warrant further investigation.

Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council (19 007 514)

Statement Upheld Leisure and culture 08-Jan-2020

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s decision to ban him from using its leisure centre. He said it then failed to respond to his complaint and did not meet with him as offered to discuss his use of the facilities. The Council was at fault for not following its policy. Its policy is also at fault as it does not consider a service user’s right to appeal. To remedy the injustice caused, the Council has agreed to review its policy and ensure Council officers are reminded to follow it. It will also offer Mr X an opportunity to appeal its decision to ban him from its leisure centre.

Norwich City Council (19 012 320)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Leisure and culture 13-Dec-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr B’s complaint about injuries he suffered in 2012 and the Council’s response to his requests for an investigation. The complaint is late and there are no good reasons for the Ombudsman to exercise his discretion and now investigate.

London Borough of Merton (19 011 505)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Leisure and culture 12-Dec-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Ms P’s complaint about the way the Council manages a Multi Use Sports Area. There is no sign of fault by the Council and therefore the Ombudsman may not question the merits of its decisions. Neither can the Ombudsman provide an interpretation of a disputed clause in a legal agreement.

Vale of White Horse District Council (19 011 507)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Leisure and culture 04-Dec-2019

Summary: Mr P complains that the Council’s response to an application to temporarily close a road to allow a parade was confusing and not in accordance with its written policy. As the parade went ahead, there is not enough injustice to warrant investigation. In addition, the Council has agreed to review its policy. The Ombudsman would be unlikely to achieve more through investigation.

Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council (19 011 010)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Leisure and culture 02-Dec-2019

Summary: Mr X complains a council officer traumatised his 4-year-old daughter when he refused to allow her to take colouring paper from the library. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint as we do not consider there is a significant personal injustice which warrants our involvement.

City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (19 008 966)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Leisure and culture 28-Nov-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s consideration of library event requests from self‑published authors, the possible exclusion of black, Asian and minority ethnic artists from library events, or the alleged removal of the complainant from a mailing list. Parts of the complaint have been resolved, there is insufficient evidence of fault in respect of other parts of the complaint, and the Equalities and Human Rights Commission is better placed to consider the alleged discrimination.

Teignbridge District Council (18 015 619)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Leisure and culture 26-Nov-2019

Summary: Mrs X complained about the Council’s refusal to refund her son’s membership of a leisure centre which she says she cancelled years ago. The Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.