Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council (25 024 260)
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because there is no worthwhile outcome achievable at this stage.
The complaint
- Ms X complains on behalf of her sister, Ms Y. Ms Y and child Z have left the UK to live abroad. Ms X complains about the financial arrangements made by the Council with Ms Y to support Z.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
- 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)
How I considered this complaint
- I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
- I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
- The Council said it had been in direct correspondence with Ms Y and had agreed actions with her to resolve her complaint. As a result of the agreement reached, the Council had closed Ms Y’s complaint.
- It appears Ms X still has questions. She complained to us about the Council’s response. She explained she was complaining on behalf of Ms Y.
- It is too soon for us to get involved. If Ms Y is unhappy with the agreement she reached with the Council, she needs to tell the Council and give the Council an opportunity to respond.
- While I do not doubt Ms X is trying to be helpful, I think it would be best for Ms Y to deal directly with the Council. If she is unhappy with the Council’s response, Ms Y could complain directly to us.
Final decision
- We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because there is no worthwhile outcome achievable for us at this stage. Ms Y should tell the Council if she is unhappy with the agreement they reached.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman