Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the way the Council has responded to reports of dog fouling. This is because further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains the Council has not dealt with his complaints about dog fouling properly. He says the file limit on the Council’s website means he cannot upload pictures, so staff cannot find the mess or clean it up. He also feels the signage is inadequate. Mr X says he had to report issues multiple time and that his street is filthy. Mr X would like the Council to improve its processes.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. 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)).

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. The Council responded to Mr X’s complaint and agreed that it would review the signage on his street and speak to people locally about the problem. It also agreed to review the file limit on pictures uploaded to the website. Mr X says that since he complained, the problems are still ongoing.
6. The Council has confirmed it is updating its IT systems, and that this will allow people to upload larger pictures. In the meantime, it says that people can use a ‘pin’ to provide the exact location of any mess.
7. In addition, the Council says the street signage will be made more prominent as part of an upcoming campaign. This will also involve speaking with residents and dropping leaflets.
8. We will not investigate this complaint as further investigation will not lead to a different outcome. The Council has considered Mr X’s complaints and put in place actions to try and resolve these issues. This response will take some time to implement, but I am satisfied the Council has considered their next steps.

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Final decision

9. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman