The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council breached his personal data. This is because it can be better dealt with by the Information Commissioner's Office.
The complaint
Mr X complains the Council breached his personal data and that it may have been doing so for several years.
Mr X says he had to call the Council for it to realise it had been sending his post to a different address.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
The Ombudsman investigates 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 may decide not to continue with an investigation if we decide there is another body better placed to consider this complaint (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6))
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant and the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is the UK's independent authority on information rights matters including the Data Protection Act. It is best placed to determine if the Council has responded correctly to Mr X’s concerns.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint because it is better dealt with by the ICO.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman