The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the failure of the Council to investigate concerns about the actions of a volunteer group. This is because the complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. It is made too late, and we have seen no reason why the complaint could not have been made earlier. Also, allegations of criminal acts are matters for the police.
The complaint
The complainant, I shall call Mr X, says the Council ignored his complaint about the actions of a volunteer group.
As well as allegations of financial misconduct and safeguarding issues, Mr X says the Chair of the group has harassed, intimidated, and defamed him.
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 late complaints unless we decide there are good reasons. Late complaints are when someone takes more than 12 months to complain to us about something a council has done. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 26B and 34D, 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 about the Council because we have seen no reason why he could not have complained to us earlier.
Also, allegations of criminal acts such intimidation are matters for the police.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman