Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of a planning application because the complaint has been made by a parish council, which is a public body.

The complaint

1. Mrs B complains on behalf of a parish council about the Council’s handling of a planning application. Mrs B does not consider the Council gave proper consideration to the local knowledge and opinion of the parish council.

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

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My assessment

6. This complaint has been made by a parish council. We cannot investigate complaints made by public bodies such as parish councils. This means we cannot 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