Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint that the Council has failed to take enforcement action against a mobile home. We have not seen enough evidence of fault to justify an investigation.

The complaint

1. Mrs X complains the Council failed to take enforcement action against a mobile home in a car park close to her home.

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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 there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating.

(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 Mrs X and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. Mrs X complains the Council has not taken any enforcement action against the siting of a mobile home in a car park close to her home.
6. The Council served an Enforcement Notice on the mobile home. The owner has appealed to the Planning Inspector against the Enforcement Notice.
7. I understand the Council has decided not to take enforcement action until the Planning Inspector has made a decision in the appeal. This is a decision the Council is entitled to make.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman