The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about what information the Council holds and provides about enforcement cases relating to advertising displays. This is because her complaint relates to an old case she was connected with and there is no worthwhile outcome an investigation would achieve.
The complaint
The complainant, who I refer to as Ms X, complains about the provision of information by the Council in connection with enforcement cases relating to advertising displays. She says public records about such cases have been concealed from public view.
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 effect on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service but must use public money carefully. We may decide not to start an investigation if the tests set out in our Assessment Code are not met. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended)
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by Ms X and the Council.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
Ms X made a previous complaint to us about enforcement action taken by the Council against an advertising display. She was told that we would not investigate the complaint because it related to events which were over 8 years old and which the courts had already considered.
Ms X has now made a further complaint to us concerning information provided by the Council on other advertising enforcement cases.
We will not investigate this latest complaint as no useful outcome would result for Ms X from an investigation.
Final decision
We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because her complaint relates to an old case she was connected with and there is no worthwhile outcome an investigation would achieve.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman