The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council not taking any action against an individual he believes is using a blue badge fraudulently. This is because the claimed fault has not caused him any injustice.
The complaint
Mr X complains the Council has not taken any action against an individual he believes is using a blue badge fraudulently.
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 fault has not caused injustice to the person who complained. (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.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
Mr X raised a complaint about an individual who he believed was using a blue badge fraudulently. He says the Council has not done anything about it.
The Council responded to Mr X and confirmed it had sent officers to try and witness the misuse of the blue badge. However, nothing was identified. The Council provided Mr X with information about what action it could take against individuals who are found to be misusing a blue badge.
I note Mr X is disabled and considers the Council’s failure to act against the fraud means that disabled people have been denied parking. However, there is no evidence the reported blue badge fraud has affected him personally. Therefore, an investigation is not justified as the alleged fault has not caused Mr X any injustice.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because the claimed fault has not caused him any injustice.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman