The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint from a town council about the Council’s decision to approve the construction of a footpath and crossing. This is because we cannot accept complaints from public bodies.
The complaint
The complainant, who I will call Mr X, complains on behalf of a town council about the Council’s decision to construct a crossing and footpath as part of a cycleway scheme.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
We cannot investigate complaints from public bodies. (Local Government Act 1974, section 27(1)(a), as amended)
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
I cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint. This is because we can only accept complaints from members of the public or their authorised representatives. Mr X is not raising his complaint as a member of the public, instead he is doing so on behalf of a town council, which is a public body.
Final decision
We canot investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is made on behalf of a public body.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman