Summary: Ms X is an elected member of the Council and complains about how the Council dealt with a complaint made about her conduct. The complaint is outside the Ombudsman’s legal remit as Ms X does not complain as a member of the public.

The complaint

1. Ms X complains about how the Council dealt with a complaint made about her conduct as an elected member of the Council (a councillor).

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We can only accept complaints from members of the public or their authorised representatives. This means we cannot accept complaints from councillors complaining about something relating to their position as a councillor. (Local Government Act 1974, section 26A, as amended)
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 have considered what Ms X said in her complaint.

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What I found

5. Ms X complains about how the Council dealt with a complaint made about her conduct as a councillor. Ms X says the procedures were unfairly implemented.

Analysis

6. Ms X complains from her position as a councillor and so as a member of a public body. We can only investigate complaints from members of the public and so cannot investigate Ms X’s complaint as it is outside our legal remit.

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Final decision

7. My decision is that the Ombudsman cannot investigate Ms X’s complaint. Ms X complains from her position as a member of the Council, not as a member of the public. The complaint is therefore outside the Ombudsman’s legal remit.

Investigator’s decision on behalf of the Ombudsman

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman