Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s response to Mr X’s subject access request as it is best dealt with by the Information Commissioner’s Office.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains he made a subject access request (SAR) to the Council in October 2024 but only received an acknowledgement of this from the Council in January 2025. Mr X is concerned the Council holds inaccurate records about him and says the worry about this is making him ill.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We normally expect someone to refer the matter to the Information Commissioner if they have a complaint about data protection/information rights. However, we may decide to investigate if we think there are good reasons. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), 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 Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is the UK’s independent regulator in respect of data protection and information rights and is best placed to respond to the concerns Mr X raises in this regard. For this reason, we will not investigate.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is best dealt with by the ICO.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman