Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council not repairing a streetlight. This is because there is no evidence the Council maintains the streetlight outside the complainant’s property and an investigation is unlikely to find fault by the Council.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains the Council will not repair a streetlight outside his property. Mr X is concerned the front of his house is very dark during the winter months and he needs to use a torch when walking along the footpath.

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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 provide a free service but must use public money carefully. We may decide not to start an investigation if, for example, 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 information provided by Mr X and the Council. I also considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

4. Mr X complained to the Council in January 2021 about the streetlight outside his property not working.
5. The Council told Mr X it does not own the streetlight and is not responsible for its maintenance. It explained it may adopt the streetlight but gave no timescale for this.
6. The Council suggested Mr X could contact the Land Registry for ownership details of the streetlight.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint. The Council responded appropriately and there is no evidence it maintains the streetlight. It is unlikely an investigation would find fault by the Council.
8. If Mr X wishes to find out who owns the streetlight, he can contact the Land Registry which may be able to assist him.

Investigator’s decision on behalf of the Ombudsman

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman