Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the Council’s decision to introduce a Liveable Neighbourhood. There is not enough evidence of fault in how the Council consulted on the scheme to justify our involvement.

The complaint

1. Mrs X complained about the Council’s decision to introduce a Liveable Neighbourhood scheme. She said the scheme posed a risk to businesses, adversely affected people with disabilities and negatively impacted on residents’ quality of life. She wants the Council to pause the scheme and review the issues she has raised.

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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, or
• further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

(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. We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the introduction of the Liveable Neighbourhood scheme. Firstly, there is no evidence of fault in how the Council undertook the consultation for the scheme. It consulted with the community, the decision to introduce the scheme was made by Elected Members, and it followed the correct process for obtaining the necessary Traffic Regulation Orders to implement the scheme.
6. In addition, the Council intends to review the scheme after six months of operation. That review includes the opportunity for the public to provide feedback. It is appropriate for Mrs X to raise her concerns during that review. Further investigation will not lead to a different outcome.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate @’s complaint because @

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman