Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about requests for a driveway/dropped kerb to help her access to her car. This is because the complaint is late and there is no good reason to investigate now.

The complaint

1. Miss X complains about how the Council responded to her requests to install a hardstanding and dropped kerb to help her access her car. She first raised the issue with the Council in 2023.

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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 the complainant and the Council.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. Miss X complains about how the Council has responded to her requests for it to install hardstanding and a dropped kerb outside her home. Miss X first raised the issue with the Council in 2023.
7. I will not investigate this complaint because it is late. Miss X could have complained with us sooner and there is no good reason to investigate now.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint because it is a late complaint, and it could have been raised sooner.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman