Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about changes to a planning application which resulted in financial loss to the Parish Council. The complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate.

The complaint

1. The Parish Council complains about the way the Council dealt with a request made by a developer for a change in a planning application.

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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 such as parish councils. (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 the complainant, including the Council’s response to the complaint.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate this complaint because it is made by a parish council, which as a public body is outside our jurisdiction.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman