Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the conduct of a Council Officer and lack of support from the Council. This is because the complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. We cannot investigate complaints made by public bodies such as parish councils.

The complaint

1. Mrs X is the clerk to a parish council. She complains on behalf of the parish council about the conduct of a senior officer and a lack of support from the Council in general on difficulties experienced in the community caused by an animal rescue centre.

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

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Final decision

6. We cannot investigate Mrs X’s complaint because she is complaining on behalf of a parish council which is a public body. Public bodies are outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman