Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of Mr X’s direct payments in 2021 because the complaint is out of time.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains the Council:
• did not support him to complete a declaration form related to direct payments in a timely manner;
• was unable to find payments made by his sister towards his care;
• gave incorrect information to him about payments owed; and
• made false accusations against him.
2. Mr X says he and his sister have suffered stress. He seeks the Council improve its communication, locate payments made, remove false allegations, give him more choice around his care and provide him with data held.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

3. 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

4. I considered information provided by the complainant.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. The Council provided a final complaint response and referred Mr X to the Ombudsman in 2021.
7. Mr X has contacted us more than 12 months late and there is no good reason to exercise discretion to investigate.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is out of time.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman