The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s role relating during enforcement action by another agency. This is because the Council have already responded and provided Mr X an explanation. Further investigation would not achieve any worthwhile outcome.
The complaint
Mr X complained that Council officers blocked his vehicle for 45 minutes during enforcement action. He states this has had negative impact financially due to disrupting his business and caused him stress. Mr X was seeking identity of the drivers to report them to police.
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 there is no worthwhile outcome achievable by our investigation. (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
Mr X is seeking identity of the officers who blocked his vehicle for 45 minutes.
The Council explained it was involved in a joint operation with DVLA and the police. It stated its officers were acting lawfully and advised Mr X to report the matter to police, if he believed there was an obstruction.
The Council have explained its position, and Mr X has an alternative route should he wish to pursue the matter further. Further investigation would not lead to different outcome.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because further investigation would not achieve any worthwhile outcome.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman