Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s failure to respond to a petition according to its published timeframe. The Council has apologised for the oversight and we do not consider further investigation will lead to a different outcome.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains the Council failed to acknowledge or respond to a petition signed by over 100 residents. This is contrary to its published process on how it deals with petitions.

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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 effect 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 an investigation if we decide the tests set out in our Assessment Code are not met. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by Mr X.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. The Council failed to respond to an e-petition registered by Mr X.
6. In respond to his complaint it advised his petition gathered 100 signatures. However, the threshold for a petition to be discussed by the Policy and Performance Committee is 750 signatures. To qualify for discuss by the full Council a petition must achieve 1500 signatures.
7. The Council apologised for failing to inform Mr X that his petition failed to meet the relevant thresholds.
8. I understand Mr X is not satisfied with the Council’s delayed response. However I do not consider that further investigation would lead to a different outcome.

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Final decision

9. 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