Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s management of licenced properties in the area. This is because the complaint is made late and I see no good reason why it could not have been made sooner.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains about how the Council is managing licences properties in his area. He says the Council are refusing to act against overcrowding, safeguarding concerns, domestic violence and antisocial behaviour.

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 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)

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

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

Back to top

My assessment

6. I will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is made late. Records show that Mr X first raised these matters with the Council in early 2022. I see no good reason why Mr X could not have escalated his concerns via the Council’s complaints procedure sooner, and then approached the Ombudsman if dissatisfied with the Council’s responses.

Back to top

Final decision

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

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman