Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about how the Council handled his concerns about rubbish dumped outside his house. This is because the complaint is late and there is no good reason to investigate now.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains about how the Council responded to his concerns about rubbish dumped outside his house.

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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 and the Council.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. Mr X says his neighbours dumped rubbish near a bin outside his house in October 2024. He reported this to the Council and is complaining about its response.
7. I will not investigate this complaint. Mr X complained to the Ombudsman in January 2026. This complaint is late because it is more than 12 months since Mr X first became aware of the issue. Mr X confirmed with the Council this was an isolated incident. There is no good reason to investigate this complaint now.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is late and there is no good reason to investigate now.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman