Summary: We will not investigate X’s complaint that they were incorrectly charged for an overdue book. This is because any injustice to X is not significant enough to warrant investigation by the Ombudsman.

The complaint

1. X complains that they have been unfairly charged £1.35 by a Council library for returning a book late.

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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 X’s complaint. The £1.35 charged does not amount to a significant enough injustice which would justify public money being spent on an 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 injustice.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman