Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about how the Council responded to concerns about anti-social behaviour in a park. This is because further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains the Council have not addressed anti-social behaviour in the park near his home. Mr X says this is impacting on his health.

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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 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))

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How I considered this complaint

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

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My assessment

5. In May 2024 the Council met with residents and agreed a list of actions to reduce anti-social behaviour, including residents locking the gates in the evening. The anti-social behaviour reduced and the Council said it would take responsibility for locking the gates at the end of February. It has taken responsibility since the beginning of April. The Council quickly repaired damaged padlocks when gates could not be locked. The Council says there have been no further reports of anti-social behaviour.
6. The Council has now taken action to reduce the impact of anti-social behaviour. I will not investigate this complaint because further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

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Final decision

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

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman