Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s handling of complaints about play equipment installed in a local park without permission. This is because the complaint is late and there is no good reason to exercise discretion to investigate now.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains about how the Council responded to his complaints about the installation of play equipment in a local park without permission.

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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 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)

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How I considered this complaint

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

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My assessment

6. Mr X complains about how the Council responded to his complaints about the installation of play equipment in a local park without permission in 2022. He complained to the Council, and it responded in December 2024.
7. I will not investigate this complaint. This complaint is late because it is more than 12 months since Mr X first became aware of the issue. There is no good reason to investigate this complaint now.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is late and there is no good reason to investigate now.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman