Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council shared information about him with his child’s nursery. The complaint is late and there are no good reasons for us to exercise discretion to consider it now.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained the Council shared false information with his child’s (Y) nursery. Mr X said this was to prevent him from seeing or speaking with Y.
2. Mr X said the matters caused him distress and frustration.

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

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My assessment

6. Mr X said the Council shared false information with Y’s nursery to prevent him from contacting Y. Mr X said this happened in December 2022 and March 2023.
7. Mr X was aware of the issues he complained about in 2022 and 2023. Mr X complained to the Ombudsman in June 2025. The complaint is therefore late.
8. I have seen no good reasons Mr X could not have complained to the Ombudsman sooner. For this reason, we will not investigate.

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Final decision

9. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because the complaint is late and there are no good reasons for us to exercise discretion to consider it now.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman