Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council not taking action to remove a sign from a footpath. The personal injustice is not significant enough to justify our involvement.

The complaint

1. Dr X complains the Council did not undertake enforcement action against a sign placed on a public footpath which was causing a trip risk.

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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 or continue an investigation if we decide:

• any fault has not caused injustice to the person who complained, or
• any injustice is not significant enough to justify our involvement.

(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 the complainant and I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

4. Dr X reported an advertising sign which was placed on a public footpath to the Council.
5. Dr X complains the Council did not take sufficient action to ensure the sign was removed. He says was concerned about a risk of trips to the public.
6. Dr X has not suffered a personal injustice significant enough to justify our involvement.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate Dr X’s complaint because the personal injustice is not significant enough to justify our involvement.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman