Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s publication of false information. We do not consider the complainant has suffered enough personal injustice to warrant our involvement.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains the Council published false information about a planning application despite being informed multiple times it was false.

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

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My assessment

5. The Council’s report on a planning application for a development next to his home states the proposed development meets the standards for specialist housing.
6. Mr X says he told the Council multiple times that the proposed scheme does not meet the required standards. He also says residents were forced to pay for an independent report to prove the Council was wrong.
7. However, the Council refused to grant planning permission. As the application was refused I do not consider Mr X suffered sufficient personal injustice to warrant an investigation. I acknowledge Mr X paid for an independent report; however the Council is not responsible for this decision.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because we consider he has not suffered sufficient personal injustice

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman