Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about money spent on bus stop works as the claimed injustice impacts all or most of the people in the Council’s area and so is not within our remit.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained about money the Council spent altering two bus stops that he says are rarely used. Mr X is unhappy that taxpayers’ money was used for this when it could have been used to repair potholes.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
3. We cannot investigate an action that we decide affects all or most of the people living in an organisation’s area. (Local Government Act 1974, section 26(7), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by the complainant.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. Mr X’s complaint is about the Council’s use of public funds. This impacts all or most of the people in the Council’s area and as such, is not within our remit and we cannot investigate.

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Final decision

7. We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is not within our legal remit.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman