Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about school catchment areas. There are no good reasons the late complaint rule should not apply.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained about the Council’s ‘indicative’ school catchment areas.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out powers but also imposes limits 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 Mr X and the Council.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. Mr X complained to the Council in February 2023 about how and why the Council had drawn up school catchment areas. The Council replied at stage one of its complaints’ procedure in March 2023. Mr X sought a review in April 2023. He complained to us in August 2024.
7. Mr X has known about the matters he complains of for more than 12 months. The Ombudsman will not usually exercise discretion to investigate complaints about events that took place more than 12 months ago unless there is good reason for delay. There are no good reasons we should exercise discretion here.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint as there are no good reasons the late complaint rule should not apply.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman