Summary: Mr X complains the Council refuses to pay for maintenance of a local football pitch despite having previously agreed to do so. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint as it is unlikely further investigation will lead to a different outcome.

The complaint

1. Mr X says the Council agreed to pay for parts of the maintenance cost for a football pitch but now refuses to pay.
2. He wants the Council to reimburse the teams.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

3. We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’. In this statement, I have used the word ‘fault’ to refer to these. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint. I refer to this as ‘injustice’. We provide a free service but must use public money carefully. We may decide not to start or continue with an investigation if we believe:

• it is unlikely we would find fault
• it is unlikely further investigation will lead to a different outcome
• we cannot achieve the outcome someone wants

(Local Government Act 1974, section 24A (6), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered the information provided by Mr X and the Council. Mr X can comment on this draft decision.

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What I found

5. Mr X represents a youth football club. He contacted the Council with details of work he wanted carried out at a specific football pitch. The Council replied in an email that “it may be able to pay for the labour”.
6. Mr X sent in a quote for the work. The Council did not respond.
7. Mr X says the Council reneged on its promise to pay the labour costs for work carried out on the pitch made at a previous meeting. However, the information he has provided says the Council may be able to pay for the labour costs. I have not seen any information which states the Council will pay.
8. Also, the Council says in its response to Mr X that for 2 years it has advised him it will not be able to fund work procured directly by the club. Rather he can bid for extra funds through the local playing field association. It advised him of the opening date for bids and advised which officers would be able to assist.

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Final decision

9. I will not investigate this complaint. This is because I have not seen any evidence to show the Council formally agreed to pay the clubs labour costs. Therefore, it is unlikely that any investigation will lead to a different outcome.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman