Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to install a temporary mini golf course in a park near the complainant’s home. The complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. The complainant has not suffered a significant personal injustice which justifies an investigation.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains the Council has approved a mini-golf course on a Site of Special Scientific Interest. He says the Council does not have the technical ability to authorise such a structure . He also complains a health and safety review has not been carried out.

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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 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)

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by Mr X and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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Final decision

5. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because he has not suffered a significant personal injustice which justifies an investigation.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman