The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about the support the Council provides its homeless community. That is because the concerns raised would be better addressed to her local councillor or MP.
The complaint
Miss X complained about the support the Council provides its homeless community. She said it does not have enough accommodation; that it has installed fencing to prevent rough sleeping outside the Town Hall; and that its Homeless Service is not fit for purpose. She said it has placed people in unaffordable properties; and that others have been evicted from tenancies without a reason, resulting in them becoming homeless again.
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 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 continue an investigation if we decide: any fault has not caused injustice to the person who complained, or we cannot achieve the outcome someone wants.
(Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about how the Council supports its homeless community. That is because Miss X has not suffered a significant personal injustice as a direct action of the Council. The matters she is raising are part of a wider community campaign to improve services for homeless people. These concerns are better addressed through her local councillor or MP, rather than the Ombudsman. We would not be able to achieve the outcome she wants.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint because the concerns raised would be better addressed to her local councillor or MP.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman