London Borough of Redbridge (23 002 304)
Category : Planning > Enforcement
Decision : Closed after initial enquiries
Decision date : 04 Jun 2023
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about use of a community centre as the complaint is out of time.
The complaint
- Mr X says that a local community centre is being used inappropriately.
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.
- I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
- Mr X says that the local community centre has been used for religious purposes which is against the terms of use of the centre. He complained several times to the Council; the last being in July 2021 when the Council told him they would not be taking enforcement action.
- I am satisfied that a complaint about this matter could have been made to this office within 12 months of his complaint to the Council in July 2021 and therefore the complaint is out of time.
Final decision
- We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because the matter is out of time.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman