The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the actions of the Council towards the complainant in their role as a parish councillor. This is because the complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. We cannot accept complaints from individuals complaining about something relating to their position as a councillor.
The complaint
The complainant, I shall call Mr X complains about matters relating to events which occurred when he was a parish councillor.
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 can only accept complaints from members of the public or their authorised representatives. This means we cannot accept complaints from individuals complaining about something relating to their position as a councillor. (Local Government Act 1974, section 26A, as amended)
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by Mr X.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it relates to events which took place when he was a parish councillor. The complaint is outside our jurisdiction.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman