Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the accuracy of the minutes of a Scrutiny Committee, because there is not enough evidence of fault.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained the Council has published minutes from a meeting which do not correctly reflect what happened at the meeting.
2. Mr X would like the Council to correct the minutes, apologise to him, make a payment of compensation to him and undertake equality and diversity training.

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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 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))

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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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My assessment

5. Mr X attended a Scrutiny Committee meeting and complained that when the minutes from the meeting were published, they did not reflect his experience.
6. The Council to say the minutes had been agreed by the chairperson and the committee members. It also explained that there is no basis for Mr X to ask for the minutes to be amended.
7. The minutes of the meeting have been agreed in accordance with the Council’s process.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is not enough evidence of fault to justify an investigation.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman