Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of a reported data breach in 2022. This is because the complaint is late and there is no good reason to investigate now.

The complaint

1. Ms X complains about the Council’s actions before and after her report of a data breach in 2022.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. 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

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

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Final decision

5. We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because it is late and there is no good reason to investigate it now.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman