The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about missed waste collections as the injustice caused to Mr X is not sufficient to warrant our involvement.
The complaint
Mr X complains about three missed waste collections in August 2022. Mr X says this is an ongoing problem with the collection of communal bins at the block of flats where he lives with Mr X having to complain about this previously to the Council in early 2022.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
The Ombudsman investigates 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 may decide not to continue with an investigation if we decide any injustice is not significant enough to justify our involvement (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6))
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
While I recognise why Mr X has felt the need to complain about the recurrence of collection problems, I do not consider the injustice caused to him from this is sufficient to warrant our involvement. I note that Mr X had to complain earlier this year about similar issues. However, given that several months of normal collections have taken place since then, I do not consider it would be a good use of our resources to investigate what took place then, now. If collection problems continue, Mr X can complain to us again and we will consider the injustice afresh then.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because the injustice caused to him is not sufficient to warrant our involvement.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman