Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint that the Council is harassing the complainant because he complained. This is because there is an on-going police investigation and because Mr X is raising issues the Ombudsman has already considered.

The complaint

1. The complainant, whom I refer to as Mr X, complains that the Council has harassed him for complaining.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
3. We can decide whether to start or discontinue an investigation into a complaint within our jurisdiction. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 24A(6) and 34B(8), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

4. I read the complaint and spoke to a Council officer to find out what is happening. I invited Mr X to comment on this draft decision.

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What I found

What happened

5. Mr X says the Council has harassed him because he has made complaints. He says the Council made false claims of harassment about him to the police. He says the Council defames people by saying they are violent to try to stop them from complaining. He also says the Council’s conduct has forced him to leave his home.
6. I spoke to a Council officer who explained the Council had reported Mr X to the police because he had allegedly made abusive comments about officers. The officer explained there is an on-going police investigation regarding Mr X’s conduct.

Assessment

7. I will not start an investigation because the matter is being considered by the police and it would not be appropriate for the Ombudsman to intervene.
8. Mr X has also raised issues about not paying his council tax as he feels forced to abandon his home due to the conduct of officers. He has also made comments about being inaccurately referred to as violent. I will not investigate these issues because they have been considered as part of previous complaints to the Ombudsman.

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Final decision

9. I will not start an investigation because there is a police investigation and because we have already considered the other issues.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman