Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s apology after an officer made a false statement about the contents of his email correspondence during a meeting. This is because the matter has been resolved prior to our involvement.

The complaint

1. The complainant, whom I shall call Mr X, complained about the Council’s apology after an officer made a false statement about the contents of his email correspondence during a meeting.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse effect on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We may decide not to start an investigation if the tests set out in our Assessment Code are not met. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by the complainant.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. Mr X was dissatisfied with the Council’s apology after a Council officer made an incorrect statement about Mr X’s email correspondence during a meeting in March 2022. This caused Mr X a great deal of distress.
6. Mr X wanted the Council officer to provide a direct apology which acknowledged the fault and the impact this had on him.
7. Mr X has told us this has been resolved. The Council officer has now provided a direct apology, which Mr X is satisfied with and, which he accepts.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because the matter has been resolved.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman