Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about delay in confirming to the complainant that it had removed her details from the open electoral register. The Council has agreed to apologise for the delay which we consider is an appropriate remedy to this complaint.

The complaint

1. The complainant, I shall call Mrs X, complains the Council delayed in confirming she is not on the open electoral register.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. If we are satisfied with an organisation’s actions or proposed actions, we can complete our investigation and issue a decision statement. (Local Government Act 1974, section 30(1B) and 34H(i), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

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

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My assessment

5. The Council has advised Mrs X that she was removed from the open electoral register in 2019. However, it acknowledges there was a delay in providing her with written confirmation of this.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint. The Council has agreed to write and apologise to Mrs X for the delay. We consider this is an appropriate remedy to this complaint.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman