Charnwood Borough Council (25 003 506)
Category : Other Categories > Leisure and culture
Decision : Closed after initial enquiries
Decision date : 20 Jul 2025
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about how the Council considered a policy affecting open spaces. There is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating. Additionally, there is not enough significant personal injustice.
The complaint
- Mr X complained about how the Council considered a policy affecting open spaces. He also complained because the Council applied this policy, and this meant an event he had planned was affected.
- Mr X complained this caused him stress and anxiety.
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, or
- any injustice is not significant enough to justify our involvement.
(Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))
How I considered this complaint
- I considered information provided by the complainant.
- I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
- Mr X complained that when the Council considered a policy change, affecting open spaces, there was no proper consultation and other relevant policies were not considered.
- I will not investigate this complaint, because it is unlikely I would find fault. I am satisfied the Council considered the policy. There are records of an Equality Impact Assessment and the evidence indicates the Public Sector Equality Duty has been considered here. The Council also consulted with the relevant cabinet committee and has declared the policy to be in a pilot phase.
- Mr X also complained that the policy affected an event he was planning, however this is not separable from the main issue and there is not enough significant personal injustice to warrant an investigation on any commitment by the Council here.
Final decision
- We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about a policy change, because there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigation. Additionally, there is not enough personal significant injustice in the matters remaining.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman