Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council handled the closure of a public park. This is because we have decided any injustice is not significant enough to justify our involvement.

The complaint

1. Miss X complains the Council failed properly to publicise the closure of a public park. Miss X says this has caused her injustice because of the time, trouble and cost of travelling to the park. Miss X wants the Council to reimburse her for the cost of travel.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. People may complain to us about injustice caused by ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’ by a public organisation we could investigate. (Local Government Act 1974, section 26A(1) or section 34C(1)(a)).
3. 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), or section 34B(8)).

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by Miss X.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. The law means we can choose only to investigate a complaint where the person has suffered serious loss, harm, or distress as a direct result of faults or failures by the body complained about. We will not normally investigate a complaint where the alleged loss or injustice is not a serious or significant matter.
7. I recognise the circumstances of Miss X’s complaint have affected her, but this is not significant enough to warrant us investigating.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate this complaint because any injustice is not significant enough to justify our involvement.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman