Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the conduct of a former employee of the Council during a meeting in November 2020. This is because the complaint is late and there are no good reasons to investigate now.

The complaint

1. Dr B complains about the conduct of an officer who no longer works for the Council. Dr B says the officer attended a multidisciplinary meeting in
   November 2020 and acted unprofessionally. Dr B says the conduct of the officer impacted on his late mother’s eligibility for continuing healthcare funding and has meant her estate has lost out on £28,800 in funding. Dr B wants the Council to apologise in writing and pay £14,400 as a financial remedy.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
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 and the Council.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate Dr B’s complaint because it is late and there are no good reasons to investigate now.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman