Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the sale of land near to his property in 2014. The complaint is late.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains about the sale of land by the Council in 2014 and the loss of alleged access rights over the land.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. 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

3. I considered information provided by the complainant.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. The land in question was sold by the Council ten years ago in 2014. Mr X was aware of the issue and he could have come to us at that time. I can see no good reason why I should exercise my discretion and investigate now.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is late.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman