Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of a waste removal matter. This is because the law does not allow us to investigate complaints from public bodies.

The complaint

1. Mrs X complained the Council refused to collect waste from an education setting she represented. She said it also altered its policy without any notification. Mrs X said this caused a health and safety issue for the setting she represented.

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

6. We cannot investigate Ms X’s complaint because the law only allows us to investigate complaints from members of the public and prevents us from investigating complaints from public bodies.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman