Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about advice provided to her by her local town council. The town council itself is not a body within our jurisdiction and although Miss X referred her complaint to Milton Keynes Council it is not responsible for the issue she has raised.

The complaint

1. The complainant, Miss X, complained to Milton Keynes Council about the actions of her local town council. She says the town council failed to properly advise her about grants available from the government to support businesses affected by COVID.

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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 a complaint where the body complained about is not responsible for the issue being raised. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(1), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by Miss X and the Council.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. Milton Keynes Council is not responsible for the town council’s advice and has no power to investigate or remedy the issue Miss X is complaining about. The town council also falls outside our jurisdiction, meaning we cannot provide a remedy for her complaint either. If Miss X believes the town council’s advice was wrong and caused her financial loss she may wish to seek legal advice.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate this complaint. This is because Milton Keynes Council is not responsible for the issue Miss X is complaining about.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman