Bury Metropolitan Borough Council (25 024 607)
Category : Other Categories > Other
Decision : Closed after initial enquiries
Decision date : 07 Jun 2026
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council failed to provide him with inadequate feedback as to why his applications to become a contractor were unsuccessful. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault causing Mr X a significant injustice.
The complaint
- Mr X complains about how the Council dealt with an application to become a contractor. Mr X says despite asking several times he was not given adequate feedback as to why his applications had been rejected.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
- 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 any injustice is not significant enough to justify our involvement. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))
How I considered this complaint
- I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
- I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
- In July 2025, the Council informed Mr X that his application had been unsuccessful and told him how he could seek detailed feedback. Mr X sent several emails and in September he was told that he had not submitted sufficient information regarding health and safety.
- Mr X submitted a further application which was again rejected in October. He again requested feedback, which was given to him during a telephone call in November. Mr X has since submitted a further application which is awaiting consideration.
- I will not investigate Mr X’s complaint. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault. The Council has told Mr X why his applications have been rejected and this has led to Mr X resubmitting them. Any delay in responding to Mr X’s requests for feedback have not caused him a significant enough injustice to warrant our further involvement.
Final decision
- We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault causing Mr X a significant injustice.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman