Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint made by a parish council about the Council’s handling of a planning application. This is because we cannot investigate complaints made by public bodies.

The complaint

1. Mr B, who is a parish councillor, complains on behalf of a parish council about the Council’s handling of a planning application for a development in the local area.

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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 from public bodies, such as parish councils. This means we cannot investigate Mr B’s complaint and have no discretion to start an investigation.

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Final decision

7. 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