Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a highway adoption matter. The complaint is late, and it was reasonable to expect Mr X to complain to us sooner.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained the Council refused to accept a highway was adopted and that its highway records contained errors.
2. Mr X said this caused frustration, time and trouble.
3. Mr X wants the Council to arrange a meeting with him to discuss the matter.

Back to top

The Ombudsman’s role and powers

4. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
5. 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)

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

6. I considered information provided by Mr X.
7. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

Back to top

My assessment

8. The 12-month period runs from the day the person affected had notice of the matters alleged in the complaint i.e. the actions complained about.
9. Mr X made representations about the matter to the Council and his Member of Parliament in 2024.
10. We will not investigate this complaint. The complaint is late, and it was reasonable to expect Mr X to have complained to us sooner.

Back to top

Final decision

11. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is late, and it was reasonable to expect him to have complained to us sooner.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman