Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about how the Council repaired a road near his home. This is because any injustice is not significant enough to warrant an investigation.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains about Council repairs on a road near his home. He says some repairs failed within days.

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

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My assessment

5. I will not investigate Mr X’s complaint. I understand Mr X was concerned about potential vehicle damage and his personal safety. However, while this was inconvenient and frustrating, I do not consider he suffered a significant personal injustice which warrants an investigation.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because any injustice is not significant enough to warrant an investigation by the Ombudsman.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman