How long action will take?
Within 10 working days we will acknowledge all written complaints by letter, which will also tell you the officer dealing with it and the case reference number you need for contacting us.
The investigating officer will also aim to visit the site of the breach within 15 working days of the complaint being received. However, this visit will be as soon as possible in the case of serious breaches.
Beyond this, timescales will vary depending on the nature of the complaint and the need to collect evidence. We will endeavour to keep you updated of progress on a monthly basis and you will be written to at the conclusion of our investigations.
Confidentiality.
Complainants will be asked to identify themselves and provide an address, email and phone number so that they can be kept informed of what the council decides and also to provide further information to assist the investigating officer where necessary. This information is treated as confidential. The alleged contravener is not told who has made a complaint, although they sometimes make assumptions.
The council will not deal with anonymous complaints,
Complainants concerned about possibly revealing their identity or having difficulties putting their case may wish to discuss the matter with their local ward councillor.