Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council’s oversight of support services in its area. This is because the service provision Mr X complains about is not an administrative function of the Council and the law does not allow us to investigate.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained the Council had failed to have proper oversight of several support organisations that it provides funding to. Mr X raised these issues because of what he saw was a systemic issue and a breakdown in public service accountability. Mr X said the Council’s failure left him and his family exposed to harm and financial unstable.

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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 cannot investigate complaints about actions which are not the administrative function of a council. (Local Government Act 1974, section 26(1) as amended).

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by the complainant and I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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Final decision

5. We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint because the operational provision of support by the organisations he complains about are not an administrative function of the Council. Therefore, the law does not allow us to investigate.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman