Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about highway adoption. Mr X says this dispute has been going on for 25 years. The law says we should not consider late complaints. Mr X should have complained to us within 12 months of becoming aware of the issue.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained the Council has not provided evidence that it adopted the service road near his property. He said he has been asking for this evidence for the last 25 years.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. 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

3. I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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Final decision

5. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because the law says we should not consider matters that happened more than 12 months ago.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman