Summary
We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council handled anti-social behaviour. We are satisfied with the actions it has taken.
The complaint
Mrs X says that she complained to the Council about anti-social behaviour (ASB) caused by other residents in her street. Mrs X says the Council did not act on her concerns or assign an officer to investigate.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’. In this statement, I have used the word fault to refer to these. We provide a free service but must use public money carefully. We may decide not to start or continue with an investigation if we are satisfied with the actions a council has taken or proposes to take. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(7), 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
Mrs X says in 2021, she reported several ASB concerns to the Council. Mrs X says the Council did not always send her a reply and when she complained to it about this, the Council said it would assign an officer to investigate further. Mrs X says this did not happen.
The Council gave us information about how it had investigated Mrs X’s reports of ASB. It assigned an officer who contacted Mrs X, and I am satisfied with the action the Council took in response to Mrs X’s reports and her complaint.
Final decision
We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council handled anti-social behaviour. We are satisfied with the actions it has taken.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman