London Borough of Barnet (21 009 389)
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s response to various planning issues Mr X raised with it. This is because there is no evidence to suggest there has been fault by the Council.
The complaint
- The complainant, who I refer to as Mr X, complains about the Council’s response to various planning issues he raised relating to sites in his local area and neighbouring properties.
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 effect on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service but must use public money carefully. We may decide not to start an investigation if the tests set out in our Assessment Code are not met. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended)
How I considered this complaint
- I considered information provided by Mr X and the Council.
- I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
- Mr X complained to the Council about various planning matters which he considered required action. The Council responded to him and addressed the issues raised, explaining what action it would be taking and why, in some cases, it was taking no action.
- There is no evidence to suggest there has been fault by the Council in its handling of the matters Mr X raised and no grounds which warrant an investigation by the Ombudsman.
Final decision
- We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is no evidence to suggest there has been fault by the Council.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman