The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s response to the concerns Mr X raised about the safety of its 5G telecommunications roll out and possible health implications for him and the general public. This is because there is no evidence to suggest fault by the Council has caused him injustice.
The complaint
Mr X complains the Council did not properly considered the information he sent to support concerns he raised about the safety of its 5G telecommunications roll out and possible health implications for him and the general public.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
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 there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council, including its response to the complaint.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
Mr X complained to the Council about its response to the concerns he raised over its 5G roll out and his view of possible health implications relating to the installation of telecommunication masts.
The Council responded to explain its position and responsibilities in this area and made clear that all matters relating to the 5G roll out are taken at a national level and based on factual evidence based scientific information. It referred Mr X to guidelines used from the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection and specialist advice from the UK Health Security Agency, giving him a link if he wanted to advise UKHSA of his concerns.
While Mr X may not be satisfied with the Council’s response to his concerns, there is no evidence to suggest fault by the Council has caused him injustice.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is no evidence to suggest fault by the Council has caused him injustice.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman