Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s response to his Code of Conduct complaint. The complaint is late, and there is no good reason to investigate now.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains that the Council has not responded to his Code of Conduct complaint.

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 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.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

Back to top

My assessment

6. Mr X complained to the Council about a councillor’s conduct in 2023. He says the Council has not responded to his complaint.
7. I will not investigate this complaint. Mr X complained to the Ombudsman in 2026. This complaint is late because it is more than 12 months since Mr X first became aware of the issue. There is no good reason to investigate this complaint now.

Back to top

Final decision

8. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is late and there is no good reason to investigate now.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman