North Lincolnshire Council (19 015 107)
Category : Environment and regulation > Antisocial behaviour
Decision : Closed after initial enquiries
Decision date : 25 Feb 2020
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: Mr X complained about how the Council dealt with his and his neighbour’s security lights. We will not investigate this late complaint. This is because Mr X could have complained to the Ombudsman sooner and he has not raised a new complaint with the Council since 2016.
The complaint
- Mr X complained, via his advocate, about the Council’s actions against him relating to his security light. This came after his neighbour complained the light shone into their property. He also complained the Council did not take enough action against his neighbour for their security light.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
- 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)
How I considered this complaint
- I considered the information Mr X provided when he complained.
- I considered information the Council provided.
- I gave Mr X the opportunity, via his advocate, to comment on my draft decision.
What I found
- Mr X complained to the Council in 2016 about its investigation into his security light and its decision that he needed to take action to stop the light causing a nuisance to others. He also complained about his neighbour’s security light, and the fact the Council threatened action against him but not his neighbour.
- Mr X did not complain to us until 2019. He sought the support of an advocate to do so due to his need for support in raising a complaint. However, I am satisfied he could have complained to us in 2016 as the Council’s final complaint response signposted him to us and he sought the help of a solicitor.
- Mr X has not made a more recent complaint about the Council’s response to either of the lights. There is not a good reason Mr X did not complain to the Ombudsman sooner after his complaint of 2016, and we should not investigate this late complaint.
Final decision
- The Ombudsman will not investigate this late complaint. This is because there is not a good reason Mr X did not complain to the Ombudsman sooner.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman