The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Councils refusal to provide school transport for the complainant’s child. This is because the Council has decided to offer transport under exceptional circumstances. Therefore further investigation will not lead to a different outcome.
The complaint
Mrs X complains the Council refused to provide free school transport for her child.
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 further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.
(Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by Mrs X and the Council.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint because the Council has now decided to offer free school transport for her child. Further investigation will not lead to a different outcome.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman