The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council failed to enforce an abatement notice for antisocial behaviour. This is because the complaint is late and I see no good reason to exercise discretion and consider it now.
The complaint
X complains that the Council failed to enforce an abatement notice after they reported antisocial behaviour by a neighbour.
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
I will not investigate this complaint because it is made late. The Council responded to a complaint from X in 2024 and signposted them to us. I see no good reason why X could not have complained to us sooner.
Final decision
We will not investigate X’s complaint because it is made late.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman