Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council; transferring an account out of Miss X’s name. The complaint is late and there is no good reason to exercise discretion to investigate it.

The complaint

1. Miss X said the Council illegally transferred her son’s child trust fund out of her name when it converted it to an ISA.

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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 provider 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 the complainant and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. Miss X was aware of this matter in 2019. She said she had spent two years pursuing the matter. She could have approached us much sooner.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint because it is late and there is no good reason to exercise discretion to investigate it now.

Investigator’s decision on behalf of the Ombudsman

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman