Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the conduct of her local Councillor. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault to justify further investigation.

The complaint

1. Ms X is unhappy with the conduct of her local Councillor and the overall management of the Council.

Back to top

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 there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by Ms X and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

Back to top

My assessment

5. Ms X complained to the Council about the conduct of a local Councillor and was also unhappy with the way the Council is managed.
6. The Council wrote to Ms X to explain the procedure for investigating complaints about Councillor conduct and requested further information. Ms X did provide the information, so the Council could not take her complaint further.

Back to top

Final decision

7. We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because there is not enough evidence of fault to justify further investigation.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman