Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council’s Local Authority Designated Officer dealt with a concern. This is because the complaint is made late and there is no good reason to exercise discretion and consider it now.

The complaint

1. Mrs X complains about how the Council’s Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) dealt with a concern raised about Mrs X. She says the LADO failed to consider her evidence from her and wants the outcome reviewed.

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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. I will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint. Records show that the case was closed in late 2022, but Mrs X did not raise a complaint almost until almost two years after. I see no good reason why Mrs X could not have complained sooner.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint because it is made late.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman