Summary: Mr X complains that the Council charged him too much for extending his vehicle crossing and failed to provide him with a breakdown of the costs incurred to justify the charge. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because it is unlikely that we would find fault by the Council.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains that the Council have not provided him with a breakdown of the costs incurred in extending his vehicle crossing to justify the amount charged for the works. Mr X therefore feels that he has been overcharged.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’. In this statement, I have used the word ‘fault’ to refer to these. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint. I refer to this as ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We may decide not to start or continue with an investigation if we believe it is unlikely we would find fault. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered the complaint and the documents provided by the Council. I have written to Mr X with my draft decision and considered his comments.

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What I found

4. In September 2019 the Council wrote to Mr X to tell him that the Council would be conducting repair works to the footway on his street.
5. Because it was carrying out works anyway, the Council offered Mr X the opportunity to have his vehicle crossing widened at a discounted rate. Mr X did not have to take advantage of this opportunity.
6. Mr X asked for a quote to have his vehicle crossing widened by 1.4m. The contractor provided a quote.
7. The Council charges a flat rate per metre squared for vehicle crossing works. There is also a £100 application fee. The discount offered to Mr X was 25% off the standard rate. The application fee was also waived.
8. Mr X paid the quoted cost and the Council contractor extended the vehicle crossing.
9. The Council applied the discount fairly and accurately and carried out the works after Mr X paid. There is no duty on the Council to provide a detailed breakdown of the cost of works.
10. It is unlikely that the Ombudsman would find fault by the Council in this matter and so we should not investigate.

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Final decision

11. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because it is unlikely that we would find fault by the Council.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman