The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with the complainant’s council tax. This is because the complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. Fault by the Council has not caused the complainant injustice warranting our involvement.
The complaint
In summary, the complainant, who I refer to here as Mr B, says the Council did not properly notify him of his council tax liability for a property. He says the Council wrongly obtained issued a summons and should pay him compensation.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse effect on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We may decide not to start an investigation if the tests set out in our Assessment Code are not met. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended)
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by Mr B and the Council. I also our Assessment Code.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr B’s complaint because we are unlikely to find fault by the Council caused him significant injustice. The Council accepts some fault in how it communicated with Mr B. However, Mr B has paid the correct amount of council tax and the Council has waived the summons costs.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman