The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council helped Mr X when he was homeless. This is because it is a late complaint and there are no good reasons to investigate it now.
The complaint
Mr X complains the Council failed to help him and provide him with accommodation when he was homeless. Mr X says the Council’s actions have caused him distress and he is street homeless.
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 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)
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
The Council responded to Mr X’s complaint in March 2021. This covered issues dating back to 2019 when Mr X became homeless. Mr X did not complain to the Ombudsman until June 2022 therefore this is a late complaint and we cannot investigate it.
We have the power to disregard this restriction where there are good reasons to do so. However I cannot see any reason why Mr X could not have complained sooner if he was unhappy with the Council’s response to his complaint in March 2021.
If Mr X is experiencing issues at present he may raise a new complaint with the Council directly.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is a late complaint and there are no good reasons to investigate it now.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman