Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council appointing someone to a school’s governing body. The law says we cannot investigate complaints about what happens in schools.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained the Council ignored the relevant rules and appointed someone to his daughter’s school’s governing body.
2. Mr X said the appointment raises questions about conflicts of interest and the school’s financial management.
3. Mr X said the appointed person should not take part in any discussions about financial matters. He also said the school’s financial losses have affected his daughter’s education.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

4. We cannot investigate most complaints about what happens in schools. (Local Government Act 1974, Schedule 5, paragraph 5(2), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

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

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My assessment

7. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because the law says we cannot investigate what happens in schools. We also note the Council told Mr X that it understands it should follow the School Governance Regulations 2013.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint’s because the law says we cannot investigate complaints about what happens in a school.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman