Summary: We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint made on behalf of a Parish Council about the Council’s lack of planning enforcement. This is because we cannot investigate complaints from a public body.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains in his capacity as a Parish councillor on behalf of a Parish council.
2. Mr X complains about the Council’s lack of planning enforcement.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

3. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
4. We cannot investigate complaints from public bodies. (Local Government Act 1974, section 27(1)(a), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

5. I considered information provided by Mr X.
6. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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Final decision

7. We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint because he complains on behalf of a public body, thereby placing it outside our jurisdiction.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman