Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint that the Council has wasted public money by making changes to streetlights across the county. This is because the issue affects all or most people in the Council’s area.

The complaint

1. The complainant, who I will refer to as Mr B, complains that the Council has mishandled a scheme to replace streetlights across the county. Mr B says the Council has wasted council tax payers money.

Back to top

The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
3. We cannot investigate something that affects all or most of the people in a council’s area. (Local Government Act 1974, section 26(7), as amended)

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by Mr B.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

Back to top

My assessment

6. Mr B says the Council has wasted public money by making changes to the streetlights across the county. The use of public funds by a local authority affects all council tax payers in a council’s area, which is most residents. We cannot investigate complaints about issues that affect all or most of the people in a council’s area. Mr B is not affected by the alleged fault by the Council more than other residents in the Council’s area. This means we cannot investigate this complaint.

Back to top

Final decision

7. We cannot investigate Mr B’s complaint because the issue affects all or most of the people in the Council’s area.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman