Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Ms X’s housing allocation band. Ms X’s complaint has been made late and there is no good reason to consider it now.

The complaint

1. Ms X has complained about her housing band allocation. She says she should be prioritised due to her medical needs.

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/care provider 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. Ms X brought the complaint to us 23 months after the Council’s final response.
7. I will not investigate Ms X’s complaint as her concerns are about issues that happened more than 12 months ago, and I see no good reason why she could not have complained to us sooner.

Back to top

Final decision

8. We will not investigate because the complaint has been made late and there is no good reason to consider it now.
9.  

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman