Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council issues travel passes to Ukrainians and discriminates against elderly and disabled residents. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

The complaint

1. The complainant, Mr X, says the Council discriminates against elderly and disabled people by offering travel passes to Ukrainians with no time restrictions on when they can be used. He says elderly and disabled people have not been given equal treatment because their passes can only be used off-peak.

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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 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))

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by Mr X.
4. I also considered our Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. Mr X complained to the Council that it discriminates against elderly and disabled residents by offering free travel passes to Ukrainians with no time restrictions.
6. In response, the Council said it does not issue travel passes to Ukrainians. It explained the passes are issued by another council and it suggested Mr X complain to that council.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate this complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council. This is because it does not issue travel passes to Ukrainians and there is no discrimination by the Council.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman