Summary: We cannot investigate this planning complaint because it is made by a parish council. We cannot investigate complaints made by public bodies such as parish councils.

The complaint

1. The complainant, who I will refer to as Mr B, complains on behalf of a parish council about the Council’s handling of planning applications for a development in the local area. Mr B says the Council did not act on serious concerns raised by the parish council about the veracity of statements made in the application submissions.

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

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My assessment

6. Mr B complains on behalf of a parish council. We cannot investigate complaints made by public bodies such as parish councils. This means we have no discretion to investigate this complaint.

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Final decision

7. We cannot investigate this complaint because it has been made by a public body.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman