Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about a variation to a premises licence. Ms X is not the licence holder, so any fault has not caused her a personal injustice.

The complaint

1. Ms X complains the Council issued an amended premises licence that did not reflect the licencing sub-committee’s determination. She has this has led to loss of income for the premises and a disruption to normal business operations.

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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 any fault has not caused injustice to the person who complained.

(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.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. We will not investigate this complaint. Ms X is not the premises licence holder. Any fault during the licence variation process has not caused Ms X a personal injustice.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because any fault has not caused her a personal injustice.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman