Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s response to matters concerning the recycling of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) at its Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRCSs). This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council or injustice caused to Mr X to warrant an investigation.

The complaint

1. The complainant, who I refer to as Mr X, says the Council does not take seriously matters concerning the selling of WEEE at its HWRC sites.

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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 effect on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service but must use public money carefully. We may decide not to start an investigation if the tests set out in our Assessment Code are not met. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended)

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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. Mr X complained to the Council about matters concerning the recycling of WEEE at its HWRC sites.
6. It responded to the issues he raised but it did not uphold his complaint.
7. We do not investigate every complaint we receive and while Mr X’s concerns are noted there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council or injustice caused to Mr X to warrant an investigation.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council or injustice caused to Mr X to warrant an investigation.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman