Summary: We will not investigate X’s complaint about the Council’s decision to make changes to a public space. This is because the issues raised have not caused X a significant personal injustice.

The complaint

1. X complains about changes to a public space that the Council approved. X says the proposals were not properly consulted on and not properly considered. X says that they have had connections to the area and is familiar with the public space.

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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. I will not investigate this complaint. X does not live in the Council’s area and is therefore not significantly impacted by the changes to the public space. Therefore any injustice caused to X is not significant enough to warrant investigation by the Ombudsman.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate X’s complaint because the issues raised have not caused them a significant enough personal injustice.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman