Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a streetlight. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council and nothing we could add to the Council’s response.

The complaint

1. The complainant, whom I refer to as Mr X, complains that the streetlight outside his home is inadequate and leaves the path in semi-darkness. He wants the Council to alter the light so it shines on the street and path.

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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, or
• further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

(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 and the Council. This includes the complaint correspondence. I also considered our Assessment Code.

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My assessment

4. Mr X complained to the Council about the streetlight outside his home. He said it is a new LED light which, unlike the old-style lamp, does not properly light the path outside his home.
5. The Council visited Mr X’s street at night. The Council found the streetlighting is working correctly and lighting the street in accordance with the British Standards and Council specification. Despite finding no problems the Council added a tilt to the light and checked with its contractors that there is no further action it can take.
6. I will not investigate this complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council. The Council responded correctly by visiting the site, checking that the lights are working correctly and applying a tilt. I appreciate Mr X remains dissatisfied but there is nothing more we would expect the Council to do.
7. In addition, as the Council has established the lights meet the specification and has checked with the contractor that there is no further possible outcome, then an investigation would not lead to a different outcome. We do not act as an appeal body and we cannot intervene simply because a council makes a decision that someone disagrees with.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate this complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council and an investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman