Trafford Council (24 006 994)
Category : Environment and regulation > Other
Decision : Closed after initial enquiries
Decision date : 06 Oct 2024
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint. This is because it is unlikely an investigation by this office could add to the response already provided via the Council’s own investigation of the matter.
The complaint
- The complainant, Ms X, complains the Council is not managing street litter in her area adequately.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
- 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 do not start an investigation if we decide the tests set out in our Assessment Code are not met. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended)
- We do not start an investigation if we decide we could not add to any previous investigation by the organisation. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))
How I considered this complaint
- I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
- I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
- Ms X complained to the Council that its contractor is not adequately managing street litter in her area.
- The Council confirmed the necessary manual and mechanical street cleaning had been carried out regularly throughout the year along with emptying of litter bins and daily litter picking. It acknowledged the impact of those who litter in the area and set out the extra resources it provides to tackle this, including manual litter picking and additional mechanical sweeping. It did not support Ms X’s request for further resources in addition to the current provision, but said it would ask for a change to when site inspections are completed to help improve monitoring.
Final decision
- We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint. This is because it is unlikely we could add to the response the Council has already provided via its own investigation. It has confirmed the relevant street cleaning is carried out and that it puts additional resources into areas that are impacted by littering by members of the public. There is nothing further we could add were we to also investigate.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman