The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the date of the next local election. This is because it is an issue that affects all or most of the inhabitants of the area.
The complaint
The complainant, Mr X, complains the Council has told him the next local election is scheduled for 2027. Mr X says this is a political move to stop people voting and from deciding who they want to run the Council.
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 something that affects all or most of the people in a council’s area. (Local Government Act 1974, section 26(7), as amended)
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by Mr X. I also considered our Assessment Code.
My assessment
The law says we cannot investigate any complaint about an issue that affects all or most of the inhabitants of an area. The date of the next local election affects most people within the Council area so we cannot start an investigation.
Final decision
We cannot investigate this complaint because it concerns a matter that affects all or most of the residents in the Council area.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman