The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint from a parish council about the Council not responding to its communication over four years ago. We cannot investigate complaints from public bodies.
The complaint
A parish council complains about the Council’s lack of response to a letter from its Chief Executive more than four years ago.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
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
The law prevents us investigating complaints from public bodies. This includes complaints from parish councils.
If the matter the parish council is trying to resolve with the Council is one which has caused an injustice to a member of the public, it is open to that person to complain to us directly for us to consider whether we can investigate.
Final decision
We will not investigate the parish council’s complaint because the law prevents us from doing so.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman