The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint that the Council’s scheme to tackle climate change is a waste of public money. This is because the alleged injustice affects all or most people in the Council’s area.
The complaint
The complainant, who I will refer to as Mr B, complains that the Council has launched a scheme to tackle climate change which is politically motivated and not supported by local residents. Mr B says the scheme is a waste of tax payers money. Mr B would like the Council to apologise and commit to serving the wishes of local people.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
We cannot investigate something that affects all or most of the people in a council’s area. (Local Government Act 1974, section 26(7), as amended)
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by Mr B.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
We generally do not investigate complaints that a particular Council project is a waste of public money. This is because the alleged injustice affects all council tax payers in a local authority’s area. This is all or most residents. We cannot investigate complaints which affect all or most people in a local authority’s area.
Mr B complains the Council’s scheme to tackle climate change is a waste of public money. Mr B has not suggested he is affected by this scheme in any way other than as a council tax payer. I am satisfied the issue Mr B complains about affects all council tax payers in the Council’s area. This is all or most residents. This means we have no discretion to investigate this complaint.
Final decision
We cannot investigate Mr B’s complaint because the alleged injustice affects all or most people in the Council’s area.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman