The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council has calculated the Adult Social Care precept in Mr X’s council tax bill. This is because it affects all or most of the people in the Council’s area and is outside our jurisdiction.
The complaint
Mr X complained that the Council has incorrectly calculated the Adult Social Care precept in its council tax bills.
Mr X said the Council had not responded to his complaint in writing.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
We cannot investigate something that affects all or most of the people in a council’s area. (Local Government Act 1974, section 26(7), as amended) It is not a good use of public resources to investigate complaints about complaint procedures, if we are unable to deal with the substantive issue.
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by Mr X.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint about council tax, because it is a matter that affects all or most of the people in the Council’s area. Therefore, it is outside of our jurisdiction.
Mr X is also unhappy the Council has not responded to his complaint. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s lack of response as we cannot investigate the substantive issue.
Final decision
We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint because it affects all or most of the people in the Council’s area.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman