Summary: The complainant says the authority has increase a charge for a way leave by a significant sum. The Authority has confirmed the matter is subject to legal proceedings. The matter is therefore outside out jurisdiction.

The complaint

1. The complainant, I will call Dr K, says the Authority has increased the charge to her company for a way leave.

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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. Schedule 5, paragraph 1 of the Local Government Act 1974 forbids is from investigating matters which are subject to any civil or criminal proceedings before any court of law.

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered the information provided by Dr K and the Authority.

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What I found

5. In response to our enquiries the Authority confirmed the matters Dr K complains about are subject to legal proceedings.

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Final decision

6. We cannot investigate this complaint as it concerns matters which are subject to legal proceedings.

Investigator’s decision on behalf of the Ombudsman

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman