The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about fly tipping as there is insufficient evidence of significant injustice caused to the complainant.
The complaint
Mr X complained about waste that had been ‘fly tipped’ near to his home which he said contained nails and was dangerous. Mr X wanted the Council to remove it immediately.
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 any injustice is not significant enough to justify our involvement (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
While I recognise Mr X was unhappy about the waste, he has not provided evidence of serious loss or harm to himself and as such I do not consider it would be in the public interest for us to investigate this complaint.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is insufficient evidence of significant injustice having been caused to Mr X.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman