The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the Council’s decision on library stock. This is because Ms X’s complaint is late and there are no good reasons why it could not have been made to us sooner.
The complaint
Ms X complained the Council made an unfair decision to stop stocking print newspapers and this adversely affected people who cannot access online circulations. Ms X wanted the Council to resume the service, it earlier provided.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
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.
Final decision
We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because she first raised the issues with the Council in late 2023 and did not come to us until 2025. The complaint is therefore late and there are no good reasons why she could not have complained to us sooner.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman