The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the actions of the Council’s planning department in 2021. The complaint is late and there is no good reason to investigate now.
The complaint
Mr X complains about the actions of the Council’s planning department in 2021. He says the Council’s actions have caused him financial loss.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
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 the complainant and the Council.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
Mr X complains about planning matters considered by the Council several years ago. We will not investigate this complaint as it is late. The Council directed Mr X to us in January 2022 and I can see no good reason why Mr X could not have approached us sooner. There is no good reason to investigate now.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is late and there is no good reason to investigate now.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman