We cannot accept complaints from community councils on their own behalf. Section 5 of the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman Act 2002 defines a ‘member of the public’. We took legal advice on this, and were advised that a community council is not a member of the public under the terms of the Act. A Scottish Parliamentary committee has also looked at this and confirmed that a community council cannot complain directly to us.
So we do not accept complaints made directly by community councils, although they may act on behalf of a member of the public or help a person complain to us. In that case, we simply need the person's written consent for the community council to act on their behalf.