Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the council giving wrong information. This is because the complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. There is no worthwhile outcome to be achieved.

The complaint

1. Mr B says when Council staff visited him at his home he was told the local library no longer existed when it does. Mr B says Council staff visited him in his home but the Council says it did not. Mr B says this has disrupted his life because the Council covers things up and says things that are out of order. Mr B says the library is still in operation.

Back to top

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 do not start an investigation if we decide the tests set out in our Assessment Code are not met. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended)

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

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

Back to top

Final decision

5. We will not investigate Mr B’s complaint because we could not achieve anything.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman