Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint from a parish council about the Council’s handling of planning enforcement matters. This is because we cannot investigate complaints from public bodies such as parish councils.

The complaint

1. Mrs B complains on behalf of a parish council about the Council’s handling of planning enforcement matters reported by the parish council. Mrs B also complains about the Council’s consideration of the parish council’s complaint under the Council’s complaints procedure.

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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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My assessment

6. Mrs B complains on behalf of a parish council.
7. We cannot investigate complaints from public bodies. This restriction to our powers applies to complaints from parish councils, which are public bodies. This means we have no discretion to start an investigation into this complaint.

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Final decision

8. We cannot investigate this complaint because it is made by a public body.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman