Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that a Council officer took a photograph of his property. Any injustice Mr X has suffered is not significant enough to warrant investigation.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains that a Council officer took photographs of his property, causing him and his family distress.

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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 injustice is not significant enough to justify our involvement. (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. The Council told Mr X that photographs were taken in relation to enforcement action it was taking regarding the illegal disposal of waste.
6. I will not investigate Mr X’s complaint. Whilst he may be unhappy that his property was photographed, I do not consider that he has suffered a significant enough injustice to warrant our further involvement.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because he has not suffered a significant injustice.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman