Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about care fee contributions. This is because it is made late and I see no good reason to exercise discretion and consider it now.

The complaint

1. X complains on behalf of Z that the Council are charging too much for the cost of Z’s care.

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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.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. I will not investigate X’s complaint. The issues raised have been known to X for several years and I see no good reason why X could not have complained to the Ombudsman sooner.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate X’s complaint because it is made late.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman