Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about how the Council supported her with her allotment tenancy. The Council has apologised for any delay in payment of fees. Further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

The complaint

1. Miss X complained the Council did not support her properly to manage her allotment tenancy. She said it failed to make a payment to the Parish Council for the allotment. She said because of this, the Parish Council said it would issue her a notice to quit.
2. Miss X said her Social Worker was not taking her concerns about the possible loss of her allotment seriously. She said that was causing her distress. She wants the Council to resolve the issue and investigate why the payment was not made.

Back to top

The Ombudsman’s role and powers

3. 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 further investigation would not lead to a different outcome. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

Back to top

My assessment

6. We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint the Council failed to pay the Parish Council for the allotment. The Council has paid the invoice, and the Parish Council has agreed Miss X can keep the allotment. The Council has agreed for the Parish Council to communicate directly with Miss X’s social care team in case there are future difficulties. As the matter has been resolved and there is a plan to prevent future problems, further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

Back to top

Final decision

7. We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint because further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman