The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s street cleaning services. This is because we are unlikely to add anything further to the Council’s response.
The complaint
Mrs X complains the Council upheld her complaint about cleaning her street but has not taken the actions it agreed. Mrs X says her street is filthy from a build up of rubbish and unkept weeds. She wants the Council to complete the agreed cleaning actions and have the weeds sprayed twice a year.
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 we could not add to any previous investigation by the organisation. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B)) If we are satisfied with an organisation’s actions or proposed actions, we can complete our investigation and issue a decision statement. (Local Government Act 1974, section 30(1B) and s34H(1), as amended)
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by Mrs X and the Council.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
The Council issued an apology to Mrs X and agreed to complete cleaning actions to her street. Mrs X complained the Council failed to complete the agreed actions.
The Council has since confirmed it has completed the agreed cleaning actions. Street cleaning has been carried out, and the Council’s waste company will continue to monitor the situation.
I am satisfied the Council remedied the injustice Mrs X suffered by issuing an apology and completing the agreed cleaning actions to her street. It is unlikely an investigation would add to the Council’s response or achieve anything more for Mrs X.
Mrs X has also raised concerns about problems with maintenance of the highway and streetlights not working. However, it is the county council as local highway authority that would be responsible for these matters.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint because we are unlikely to add anything further to the Council’s response.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman