The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council has failed to properly respond to Mr X’s requests for information as this is a matter for the Information Commissioner’s Office.
The complaint
Mr X complains the Council has failed to properly respond to his requests for information about a proposed cycle route.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
The Ombudsman investigates 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 may decide not to continue with an investigation if we decide there is another body better placed to consider this complaint (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6))
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is the UK’s independent authority on upholding information rights and is best placed to respond to the concerns Mr X raises. We will not therefore investigate.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is best dealt with by the ICO.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman