Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about a planning matter because it has been made by a parish council. We cannot investigate complaints from public bodies, such as parish councils.

The complaint

1. The complainant, who I will refer to as Mrs B, complains on behalf of a parish council about the Council’s failure to enforce planning conditions which has resulted in the removal of healthy trees.

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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 Mrs B.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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Final decision

6. We cannot investigate Mrs B’s complaint because she is complaining on behalf of a parish council, which is a public body. We cannot investigate complaints from public bodies.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman