London Borough of Lambeth (25 011 009)
Category : Other Categories > Other
Decision : Closed after initial enquiries
Decision date : 17 Sep 2025
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: We will not exercise discretion to investigate this complaint about the Council’s officers giving misleading information to the BBC in a broadcast in July 2024. This complaint was received outside the normal 12-month period for investigating complaints. There is no evidence to suggest that Mr X could not have complained to us sooner.
The complaint
- Mr X complained about the Council’s officers giving misleading advice on a BBC broadcast in July 2024 regarding the auditing of major works to its properties and the effect on leaseholders. He says the Council has not provided him with sufficient evidence that the statement was true.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
- 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)
How I considered this complaint
- I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council’s response.
- I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
- Mr X says the Council’s spokesperson stated in a BBC broadcast on 1 July 2024 that the Council had a team of professionals who audited major works costs and progress. He is a leaseholder of the Council and he disputes that this was the case. He says the statement was misleading and that the Council should make a public apology.
- He complained to the Council in 2024 and it refuted his claim that the works were not properly audited. He complained to us in August 2025 which is outside the 12-month period for investigating complaints. We will not exercise discretion to investigate the matter now. There is no evidence to suggest that Mr X could not have complained to us sooner.
Final decision
- We will not exercise discretion to investigate this complaint about the Council’s officers giving misleading information to the BBC in a broadcast in July 2024. This complaint was received outside the normal 12-month period for investigating complaints. There is no evidence to suggest that Mr X could not have complained to us sooner.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman