Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mrs A’s complaint that the Council refused her application and appeal for school transport for her daughter. The Council has reviewed its decision and investigation by the Ombudsman would achieve nothing further.

The complaint

1. The complainant, who I will refer to as Mrs A, complains that the Council refused her application and appeal for school transport for her daughter.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’. In this statement, I have used the word ‘fault’ to refer to these. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We may decide not to start or continue with an investigation if we are satisfied with the actions a council has taken or proposes to take. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(7), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

3. I have considered what Mrs A has said in support of her complaint and relevant correspondence provided by the Council.

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What I found

4. Mrs A applied for school transport for her daughter from September 2019. The Council refused her application and subsequent appeal. Mrs B believes it was at fault in doing so.
5. The Council has provided evidence which shows that it has reviewed its decision and decided to provide school transport for Mrs A’s daughter. There is therefore nothing significant to be gained from investigation by the Ombudsman.

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Final decision

6. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint. This is because investigation would achieve nothing further.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman