Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision-making process regarding a speed table installed near Mrs X’s property. This is because the complaint is late and there are no good reasons for this.

The complaint

1. Mrs X complains about the Councils decision-making process regarding a speed table installed near her property and says it does not comply with the law. Mrs X says this has had a significant impact due to the vibrations, noise and damage to properties. Mrs X wants the speed table removed.

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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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My assessment

5. The speed table was installed in July 2022. Mrs X did not complain to the Council until July 2025 and did not come to us until March 2026. This is significantly outside the 12-month period for bringing complaints to us. I recognise Mrs X was seeking information from other organisations about the consultation process during this time. However, if she was unhappy with the installation, she could have complained to the Council in 2022 and come to us in 2023 if she remained dissatisfied. The complaint is late and I have seen no good reason to exercise discretion to investigate it now.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint because it is late and there are no good reasons for this.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman