Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to close squash courts at a leisure facility. Further investigation would not led to a different outcome.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained about the Council’s decision to close the squash courts at a local leisure centre. He said the Council did not consult before taking the decision and that the closure would impact on community groups. He wants the Council to change its decision to close the courts.

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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. In the Council’s complaint response, it confirmed it discussed redevelopment of the leisure centre at an Area Board meeting. It said the reasons for the closure of the squash courts was based on their level of use, the need to redevelop the fitness suite and provision of additional spaces at the leisure centre. It said it hoped the changes would increase membership at the gym. It stated there were other squash courts available a short distance away.
6. Although Mr X is unhappy with the Council’s decision we will not investigate. Firstly, the Council did not have a statutory duty to consult on its decision to close the squash courts. The Council has set out reasons for its decision making; it is entitled to redesign how it provides leisure services. We cannot direct it to keep the squash courts open. Further investigation will not lead to a different outcome.

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Final decision

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

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman