Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about a licence that his business is required to pay the Council. This is because his complaint is made late.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains about a licence that his business is required to pay. Mr X says the Council has allocated his business to the incorrect band, meaning he has to pay a higher fee.

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. Mr X has been aware of the issue since 2023, and I see no good reason why he could not have approached the Ombudsman about this sooner.

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