Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council handled an allegation of anti-social behaviour against Mr X. This is because we are unlikely to find evidence of fault by the Council.

The complaint

1. The complainant, who I refer to as Mr X, complains about the way the Council dealt with an allegation of anti-social behaviour made against him and a visit made to his home to discuss matters which caused distress.

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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 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 an investigation if we decide there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6))

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by Mr X, including the Council’s response to his complaint.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. The Council received an allegation of anti-social behaviour involving Mr X. It contacted him to bring the allegation to his attention and visited him at home to discuss matters. Having spoken to him the Council then immediately closed the case.
6. Mr X complained to the Council about its handling of these matters. In response it explained its procedures and that the visit had been undertaken so Mr X could explain his side of events. Having heard him do so, it immediately closed the case and it took no further action in relation to the allegation.
7. While I understand Mr X and his wife were distressed by the course of events, the Council received an allegation which it followed up on. Having spoken to Mr X, it was satisfied that no further action was required and closed the case. As there is no evidence to suggest the Council acted with fault, we will not investigate the complaint.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because we are unlikely to find evidence of fault by the Council.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman