Summary: We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint about his missed bin collections. This is because the missed collections result from industrial strike action by the Council’s refuse collection crews and the issue affects all or most of the people in the Council’s area.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains the Council has failed to provide a reliable waste collection service despite his many reports and complaints about missed collections. He says this has led to waste piling up, unsanitary conditions, unpleasant odours and an increased risks of pests.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
3. We cannot investigate something that affects all or most of the people in a council’s area. (Local Government Act 1974, section 26(7), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by Mr X and the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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Final decision

5. We cannot investigate or provide a remedy for any missed collections caused by the industrial action carried out by the Council’s refuse collection crews. This is because the strikes affects all or most of the people in the Council’s area and Mr X is affected in the same way as any other resident.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman