The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that a Council has failed to provide him with a recording of a meeting it held with him. This is because it is better dealt with by the Information Commissioner's Office.
The complaint
Mr X complains about the Council’s failure to provide him with a copy of a recording of a meeting involving him and Council officers.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We provide a free service but must use public money carefully. We do not start or continue an investigation if we decide there is another body better placed to consider this complaint. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is the UK's independent authority on data protection and information rights matters. It is best placed to determine if the Council has responded correctly to the concerns raised by Mr X. So, we will not investigate.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is better dealt with by the ICO.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman