Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the actions of trading standards several years ago. This is because it is made late and I see no good reason to consider it now.

The complaint

1. X complains about the actions of the Council’s trading standards after they first raised concerns about a contractor in 2014.

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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)

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How I considered this complaint

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

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My assessment

6. I will not investigate X’s complaint. The issues they have raised go back several years. Therefore, the complaint is made late. I see no good reason to exercise discretion and consider these matters now.

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Final decision

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

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman