The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with a complaint about the conduct of parish councillors. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.
The complaint
X complains about how the Council dealt with their complaint about the conduct of parish councillors.
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)) If there was no fault in how the organisation made its decision, we cannot question the outcome. (Local Government Act 1974, section 34(3), as amended)
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
I will not investigate X’s complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault in how the Council dealt with their complaint. A senior officer considered X’s complaint in consultation with an independent person. X’s concerns were considered alongside other relevant information, before concluded that no further action would be taken.
Whilst X may strongly disagree with the Council’s decision, we cannot question a properly made decision in the absence of fault.
Final decision
We will not investigate X’s complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman