Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the failure to require reinstatement of a public footpath. This is because the complaint has been made by a community council which is a public body.

The complaint

1. Ms X complains on behalf of a community council about the Council’s failure to ensure a footpath is reinstated as part of 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. (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 Ms X and the Council.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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Final decision

6. We will cannot investigate Ms X’s complaint because it has been made on behalf of a community council. We cannot investigate complaints made by public bodies such as community or parish councils.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman