Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s refusal to deal with a report of brambles encroaching on Ms X’s property from the grounds of a school. We cannot investigate complaints about the internal management of schools.

The complaint

1. Ms X complains the Council failed to act on her reports of brambles encroaching on her property from a school next to her home.

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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 most complaints about what happens in schools. (Local Government Act 1974, Schedule 5, paragraph 5(2), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

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

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My assessment

6. We cannot investigate this complaint. The decision not to act on her report of brambles encroaching onto her property from a school is a matter for the school. We have no power to investigate decisions connected to the internal management of schools.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because it is outside our jurisdiction.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman