Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision-making relating to membership at a leisure facility. This is because it is unlikely we would find fault and there is no significant injustice.

The complaint

1. Ms X complained about the Council’s decision-making relating to membership at one of its leisure facilities following an incident. Ms X said the decision was unfair and she now no longer feels safe using the facility.

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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:

• there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating, or
• any injustice is not significant enough to justify our involvement.

(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 Ms X and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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Final decision

5. We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because the Council explained the steps it took to consider the matter and it is unlikely we would find fault in this. Furthermore, Ms X’s injustice is not significant enough to warrant an investigation.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman