Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to refuse a business grant which has led to financial loss and being pursued for unpaid council tax. This is because the complaint is made late, and I see no good reason why it could not have been made sooner.

The complaint

1. The complainant, who I will call Miss X, complains about the Council’s decision to refuse her application for a business grant. She says this has led to a financial loss and she is now being pursued for unpaid council tax.

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

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My assessment

6. Miss X complained to the Council about these matters which the Council responded to and told Miss X she could escalate the matter to the Ombudsman. Miss X submitted a Freedom of Information request and complained again, the Council provided a further response in May 2022 and again told Miss X she could escalate the matter to the Ombudsman.
7. I will not investigate Miss X’s complaint because it is made late. I see no good reason why Miss X could not have raised the issue with the Ombudsman when the Council sent its final response in May 2022.

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Final decision

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

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman