Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about councillor conduct as the complainant is not caused a level of injustice that would justify our further involvement.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained a Council member made comments toward him in a public forum which showed him disrespect. Mr X says this caused him great upset and that he requires an apology from the councillor or the Council.

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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. While I recognise Mr X remains unhappy about what took place, I do not consider that his claimed injustice is sufficient to justify our further involvement. We have limited resources and must direct them to the most serious cases and would not generally investigate a complaint where the only outcome sought is an apology.
6. For this reason, we will not investigate.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because any injustice caused to him is not sufficient to warrant our further involvement.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman