Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision not to cut back trees near his home because the complaint is late and there are no good reasons why it could not have been made sooner and in time.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained the Council refused to cut back trees after he told it they were blocking the light to his home and depositing leaves into his gutters. He said this caused him distress and cost him money to resolve. He said the Council failed to consider his disability when making its decision.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. 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

3. I considered information provided by the complainant.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. Mr X asked the Council to cut back trees which grew near his home. In September 2023, the Council inspected the trees and told him it would not cut them back. It told him its reasons for this.
6. In December 2024, Mr X complained to us about the Council’s decision. He said it did not consider his disability when making its decision.
7. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint. This complaint is late, and I have not seen any good reason why it could not have been made sooner.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is late and there are no good reasons it could not have been made sooner.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman