Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mrs Q’s complaint about the Council’s decision to stop paying her son’s transport costs to attend his placement. This is because the complaint has been resolved and Mrs Q wishes to withdraw it.

The complaint

1. Mrs Q complained on behalf of her son, Mr M. She said Norfolk County Council wrongly decided to stop paying Mr M’s transport costs to attend his placement.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We can decide whether to start or discontinue an investigation into a complaint within our jurisdiction. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 24A(6) and 34B(8), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered the information Mrs Q provided and spoke to her about the complaint. I considered the information the Council provided.

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What I found

4. Mrs Q’s son, Mr M, has a learning disability. He attends a placement four days a week. The Council stopped paying Mr M’s transport costs to attend his placement.
5. The Council has now started paying Mr M’s transport costs once more and has backdated its payments to when they stopped. Mrs Q is satisfied the complaint has been resolved and wishes to withdraw it. We will not investigate the complaint for this reason.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate Mrs Q’s complaint because she has withdrawn it.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman