The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the way the Council considered the complainant’s application for a new blue badge. This is because the complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. The Council awarded the blue badge following an appeal. We consider further investigation will not lead to a different outcome.
The complaint
Mr X complains the Council mismanaged his application for a new blue badge and contravened its customer charter.
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 further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.
(Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided Mr X and the Council.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint. In its complaint response to Mr X, the Council confirms it dealt with his application according to government guidelines. It also confirms that following Mr X’s appeal, it issued him with a blue badge.
We will not investigate this complaint. I understand Mr X is dissatisfied that he had to appeal before being awarded a blue badge. And with the way the Council considered his application in general. However, we consider an investigation by us would not lead to a different outcome.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman