Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about fees charged by a Council contractor for live events. This is because further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains about fees charged by a Council contractor for services provided for live events. Mr X says the fees are unreasonable and that the Council has given vague answers to questions he has raised.

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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 further investigation would not lead to a different outcome. (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 and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. Mr X contacted the Council after he received invoices from a third-party Council contractor for services provided for live events that Mr X arranged. Mr X complained that he was overcharged, that the fees were unreasonable and asked several questions relating to the fees and the arrangements in place between the contractor and Council.
6. The Council had an online meeting with Mr X to discuss the fees. The Council agreed that Mr X had been overcharged and confirmed with Mr X that he would only need to pay the fee originally quoted for one of the invoices. The Council has explained the charges that are in place and fully answered Mr X’s questions in relation to the charges. The Council’s actions in confirming in writing that Mr X would only need to pay the fee originally quoted for one of the invoices was appropriate and it has answered the questions Mr X has asked. It is for the Council and not the Ombudsman to decide what charges to make for services it provides. I will therefore not investigate Mr X’s complaint because further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman