Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s response to a flooding event. The complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. A parish council is making the complaint. We cannot investigate complaints made by public bodies.

The complaint

1. A parish council complains about the Council’s handling of a flooding event.

Back to top

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 complaints from public bodies. (Local Government Act 1974, section 27(1)(a), as amended)

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by the complainant.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

Back to top

Final decision

6. We will not investigate this complaint because the law prevents us investigating complaints from public bodies. This includes complaints from parish councils.
7. If a member of the public has suffered an injustice because of the matter raised, they can complain to us direct. We will consider whether we can investigate.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman