Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the council dealt with reports of antisocial behaviour. This is because the complaint is made late and I see no good reason to exercise discretion and investigate it now.

The complaint

1. The complainant, who I will call Mr X, complains about how the Council dealt with his reports of antisocial behaviour during the summer of 2021. Mr X says instead of acting against his neighbour, the Council issued him with a Community Protection Warning.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions 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 complainant.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. I will not investigate Mr X’s complaint, the issues he complains about took place in 2021 and therefore his complaint is made late. I see no good reason why he could not have complained sooner and therefore I will not exercise discretion and investigate it now.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is made late.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman