Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the Council’s handling of her anti-social behaviour complaints. This is because it is late with no good reason to investigate it now.

The complaint

1. Ms X complains about the Council’s handling of her anti-social behaviour complaints.

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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)
4. We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start or continue an investigation if we decide further investigation would not lead to a different outcome. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))

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How I considered this complaint

5. I considered information provided by Ms X.
6. I also considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

7. The events Ms X complains about took place between February and May 2025. She complained to us in July 2026, more than 12 months later. This makes her complaint late.
8. The Council responded to Ms X’s complaints in May and July 2025. It was therefore reasonable for her to complain to us at that time if she was dissatisfied with the Council’s response. I have seen no good reason for the delay in complaining and therefore I will not investigate her complaint.
9. In any event, further investigation by us would not lead to a different outcome. The Council has acknowledged fault in its handling of Ms X’s anti-social behaviour complaints between February and May 2025. It apologised and offered her £450 to recognise the injustice caused by its inaction. It also took action to address the anti-social behaviour concerns she raised.
10. The Council’s actions were appropriate and proportionate to the injustice identified. Further investigation by us would not lead to a different outcome or achieve anything more for Ms X.

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Final decision

11. We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because it is late and because further investigation by us would not lead to a different outcome.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman