Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council handled an obstruction on a public footpath. Any injustice to Mr X is not significant enough to warrant our involvement.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained about how the Council handled his report about an obstruction on a public footpath.
2. Mr X said the obstruction is still there and impacted on the footpath available to use.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

3. 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

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

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My assessment

6. Mr X complained the Council did not act on his report about an obstruction on a public footpath.
7. The Council responded to Mr X to explain the action it had taken and said its enforcement team are now pursuing the next stage of the process.
8. We will usually only investigate a complaint when a person has suffered a significant injustice, amounting to a serious loss, harm or distress because of the Council’s actions or inactions.
9. The information available does not suggest Mr X has suffered a significant injustice because of the Council’s actions or inactions in addressing the obstruction.

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Final decision

10. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because his injustice is not significant enough to warrant our involvement.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman