Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the way the Council applies proportionality ratios when appointing councillors to various boards and sub-boards. The complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. The complaint affects all or most of the residents within the Council’s area and is therefore outside our jurisdiction.

The complaint

1. Mr X says the Council has failed to apply the correct proportionality ratios based on the election results. He says this results in under-representation of the Conservative Group on Council Sub-Boards, and over-representation of the Labour group on the Policy & Organisation Board and Sub-Boards.
2. He says all residents are being under-represented on the appropriate Council Boards and Sub-Boards.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

3. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
4. 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

5. I considered information provided by Mr X and the Council.
6. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because the matter affects all or most of the residents in the Council’s area. It is therefore outside our jurisdiction.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman