Summary: Ms X complains about the way the Council dealt with her application for a dropped kerb. We will not investigate this complaint because the matter has been remedied.

The complaint

1. Ms X complains about the way the Council dealt with her application for a dropped kerb.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’. In this statement, I have used the word ‘fault’ to refer to these. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We may decide not to start or continue with an investigation if we are satisfied with the actions a council has taken or proposes to take. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(7), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
5. The complainant has commented on my draft decision.

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My assessment

6. Ms X says that her application for a dropped kerb unnecessarily caused her distress and time and trouble.
7. The Council notes that several emails were sent to them from Ms X from a different email address which meant that some of the emails were not responded to. The Council apologised for any trouble this may have caused Ms X. The application was approved by the Council.
8. I note the confusion caused by the different email addresses. I consider that the Council’s apology is a sufficient remedy to the matter and there are no grounds, therefore, to investigate this complaint.

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Final decision

9. I do not intend to investigate this complaint because the matter has been remedied to the Ombudsman’s satisfaction.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman