Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council considered a Blue Badge application. This is because there is no worthwhile outcome achievable.

The complaint

1. Mrs X complained that her Blue Badge application had been delayed due to the Council requesting further information.
2. Mrs X said this left her feeling distressed and worried this would delay the Council processing her application.

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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 there is no worthwhile outcome achievable by our investigation. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))

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How I considered this complaint

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

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My assessment

6. Mrs X complained that the Council incorrectly asked her for further information for her Blue Badge application.
7. The Council responded to Mrs X’s complaint by confirming its reasons for requesting further information and made a decision on her application before her current Blue Badge expired.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint because there is no worthwhile outcome achievable.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman