Summary: We will not investigate part of Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision to grant permission for a street party in his area because there is insufficient evidence of fault. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaints about how the event was organised because he was not caused a significant injustice.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained the Council granted permission for a street party which resulted in a suggested road closure in his area for several hours. Mr X said the organisers of the party posted a leaflet asking residents to move their cars and to not use motor vehicles on the street during the event. Mr X said the organisers did so without authorisation and without providing the organiser’s contact details.
2. Mr X said the matter caused him distress and frustration.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

3. 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))

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

Decision to grant approval for the street party

6. In its complaint response to Mr X the Council explained the organisers of the street event had submitted the appropriate application and made declarations relating to the organisation of the event, including consultations with residents. The Council approved the street party as most residents wanted the event to take place.
7. There is insufficient evidence of fault in the Council’s decision to approve the street party to warrant our involvement, and so we will not investigate this complaint.

Road closure and failure to provide organiser’s details

8. Mr X complained the organiser of the street party posted a leaflet through his door asking residents not to use motor vehicles on the road on the day in question and to move their vehicles to enable children to play during the event. Mr X said this caused him distress as he did not know the identity of the organiser and because, in his view, the road should not be closed.
9. In its complaint response the Council told Mr X it contacted the event organiser to ensure their contact details were provided to all residents. The organiser later did so. Mr X was therefore able to engage with the event organiser before the street party took place.
10. We will not investigate this complaint. Mr X was not caused a significant injustice because of the alleged fault (failure to provide contact details and a request not to use motor vehicles on the street during the day of the event).

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Final decision

11. We will not investigate part of Mr X’s complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault. We will not investigate the remainder because he was not caused a significant injustice.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman