Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s management of weeds on his road. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council to warrant an investigation.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains the Council’s management of weeds on the road where he lives is virtually non-existent.

Back to top

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 do not start an investigation if we decide the tests set out in our Assessment Code are not met. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended)
3. We do not start 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))

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

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

Back to top

My assessment

6. Mr X complained to the Council about its management of weeds on his road.
7. The Council said it attended the location in April, May and July 2025 and carried out weed maintenance works. It noted Mr X said he had not seen any works being completed on the April date however, its records showed officers had attended. It noted some maintenance works, such as weed spraying, would not be immediately visible and could lead to the impression that no works were carried out. The Council said it was satisfied it was fulfilling its obligations in maintaining the area.
8. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council here to warrant a further investigation by this office. As set out above, the Council attended the site on three occasions. The Council publishes information on its website which explains how it will deal with weeds. This states that, as part of its normal activities, it will spray weeds three times: in late spring: mid-summer and later summer to autumn. It has acted in line with its published policy and does not warrant an investigation by this office.

Back to top

Final decision

9. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council to warrant an investigation.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman