Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about an unsuccessful application for a dropped kerb in 2021. This is because it is a late complaint.

The complaint

1. The complainant, Mr X, complains about the Council’s decision to refuse his application for a dropped kerb in 2021.

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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 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

4. I considered information provided by Mr X. I also considered our Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. Mr X applied for a dropped kerb in 2021. The Council refused the application in December 2021. Mr X contacted the Council in September 2022 and referred to two properties which had been given consent for dropped kerbs when their situations are similar to his in terms of eligibility for a dropped kerb. Mr X included these two properties in his complaint to us and says the Council did not provide an explanation. Mr X complained to us in June 2025.
6. I will not start an investigation because this is a late complaint. Mr X received the outcome of the dropped kerb application in 2021 and raised concerns about the properties in 2022. But he did not complain to us until June 2025. If Mr X wanted to complain about the dropped kerb refusal, or the Council’s response to his query about the two properties, then he needed to have done so before 2025. I have not seen any good reason to investigate such a late complaint.

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Final decision

7. We will not start an investigation because this is a late complaint.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman