Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the provision of incorrect information on a local search enquiry. This is because the complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. The complaint is made too late.

The complaint

1. The complainant, I shall call Mr X, complains the Council provided wrong information in response to a local search enquiry.

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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 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)

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by the Mr X.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint. From the information I have seen, Mr X has been aware of this matter since at least 2018. The restriction described at paragraph three above applies. I have seen no reason why Mr X could not have come to the Ombudsman much sooner. Therefore, we will not investigate this complaint as it is made too late.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman