Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about council refuse lorries driving along a one-way street in the wrong direction. The case does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. There is not enough evidence of significant personal injustice from the matter complained about and we could not add anything to the Council’s response.

The complaint

1. The complainant, Mr X, complained to the Council about its refuse lorries travelling along a one-way street close to his home in the wrong direction.

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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 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)

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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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Final decision

5. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint. While Mr X is clearly concerned about the matter complained about it has not caused him a significant personal injustice. The Council has also provided a detailed response to his complaint explaining the background to what it believes to have happened. We could not add anything further.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman