Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s response to a report of overgrown shrubbery. This is because the complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. There is no significant personal injustice.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained the Council were wrong not to take effective action in relation to another property owner, who had allowed their shrubbery to become overgrown. Mr X told the Council this partially blocked his view of the road and therefore caused a hazard.

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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 any injustice is not significant enough to justify our involvement. (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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Final decision

5. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is no significant personal injustice.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman