The Local Government Ombudsman has thrown out a complaint by Pride in Canterbury that the city council is not gay fiendly enough.

It follows an investigation by the ombudsman into the way the authority accommodates and responds to the needs of the gay community.

In April, Pride in Canterbury made an official complaint that the council failed to promote lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) culture in the area and failed to respond to its complaints.

But Local Government Ombudsman, Christine Kane has now concluded that the council has no statutory duty to promote LGBT culture.

In a letter to Pride in Canterbury, Ms Kane said: “I see from information provided by the council that it has given your organisation funding in past years.

"It has invited you to provide details of touring plays and musicals, for example, which would be of interest to the LGBT community.

"And it has also invited you to put forward suggestions for small events that it might help fund, as well as proposals for other events such as exhibitions.”

With regard to Pride in Canterbury’s allegation that the council had failed to respond to a letter of complaint, Ms Kane said that the council had apologised for failing to respond to one complaint.

But she added that many of the issues mentioned by Pride in Canterbury had been dealt with previously.

She told Pride in Canterbury: “I see no reason, therefore, for the council to keep revisiting complaints that have been properly considered simply because you are unhappy with the outcome.”

The council’s chief executive, Colin Carmichael, said: “We are pleased that the Ombudsman will not be pursuing Pride in Canterbury’s allegations any further.

"We have always refuted suggestions that the council doesn’t engage with the LGBT community and I’m delighted that the Ombudsman agrees that the argument is groundless.

“Such allegations have been particularly disappointing in light of the past funding we have secured for Pride in Canterbury, and our holding of a gay open day in the council offices on one Saturday last year.”

He added: “We hope that the Ombudsman’s conclusion draws a line under this particular episode.

"We will however, continue to work closely with the local LGBT community in identifying particular needs and concerns and offering help whenever possible.”