Mr C complained that Dyffryn Ardudwy and Talybont Community Council did not follow correct procedures when it withdrew support for a planning application, and that it did not provide a proper response to his complaints.
The Ombudsman decided that the Council made its decision without giving Mr C the opportunity to make representations, and had not acknowledged that it was misled. The Ombudsman also found that the Council did not have a complaints procedure. The Ombudsman decided to settle the complaint without an investigation.
The Ombudsman sought and gained the Council’s agreement to write to Mr C to apologise for the procedural errors, publish a complaints procedure and provide guidance to Councillors within 4 weeks. The Council also agreed to ensure that all Members are up to date with required training, within 3 months.