Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint because it has been made by a parish council.

The complaint

1. Mrs X complained on behalf of a parish council about the Council’s handling of an objection it made as well as complaints handling.

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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 complaints from public bodies. (Local Government Act 1974, section 27(1)(a), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

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

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My assessment

6. This complaint has been made by a parish council. We cannot investigate complaints made by public bodies such as parish councils. This means we do not have the power to investigate this complaint.
7. Where we cannot look at the substantive matter, we cannot look at how a council dealt with the complaint.

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Final decision

We cannot investigate this complaint because it has been made by a public body.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman