Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the way the Council conducted a consultation on its planning policy. The complaint is made too late and we have seen no reason why Mr X could not have complained to us much sooner.

The complaint

1. Mr X says the Council acted unfairly failed to follow procedures during its consultation on its 2023 local planning framework (SRF). He says the Council failed to tell residents of his apartment block about the consultation and they lost the opportunity to participate. When the Council became aware of the failure it still did not formally reopen the consultation.

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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 Mr X and the Council.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. In response to my enquiries Mr X confirmed he became aware of the consultation in April 2023. Mr X did not complain to us until January 2026.
7. The law says a complaint must be made to the Ombudsman within 12 months of the person becoming aware of the matter. Mr X’s complaint is therefore late.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is late and we have seen no reason why he could not have complained to us much sooner.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman