Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about care fees. This is because the complaint relates to events which happened more than 12 months ago. We cannot consider late complaints. It was reasonable to expect Ms X to come to us sooner.

The complaint

1. Ms X complained on behalf of her late father. She said that the Council charged him incorrect care fees and left the family with debts to pay.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. 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)

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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Final decision

5. We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because Ms X took more than 12 months to bring the complaint to us.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman