The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council’s failure to take enforcement action. The complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. We cannot investigate complaints made by public bodies such as parish councils.
The complaint
The complainant, who I will call Mr K, complains for a parish council. Mr K says the Council has failed to taken enforcement action against breaches of planning control.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
We cannot investigate complaints from public bodies. (Local Government Act 1974, section 27(1)(a), as amended)
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by Mr K.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
Final decision
We will not investigate this complaint because it is made by a parish council which is a public body. It is therefore outside our jurisdiction.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman