The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s management of Mr X’s council tax account, or the summons fees the Council has charged Mr X. This is because the complaint relates to matters that took place more than 12 months ago. It would have been reasonable for Mr X to complain earlier. There is no good reason to exercise discretion to investigate matters that took place this long ago.
The complaint
Mr X complained the Council failed to provide him with a refund and a government rebate he was owed. He also complained the Council has charged him a summons fees.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
We cannot investigate late complaints unless we decide there are good reasons. Late complaints are when someone takes more than 12 months to complain to us about something a council has done. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 26B and 34D, as amended)
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by Mr X and the Council.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
Mr X complained the Council failed to provide him with a council tax refund in 2017 and a government rebate in 2022. He also complained about the summons fee the Council charged him whilst attempting to recoup the outstanding council tax on his account.
The Council did not uphold the complaint and advised he had already received all refunds he was due. The Council also advised it had acted lawfully when it charged Mr X summons fees.
Mr X has brought the complaint to the Ombudsman as he remains unhappy with the situation. The Ombudsman will not usually exercise discretion to investigate matters that took place this long ago unless there are good reasons to do so. In this case, it would have been reasonable for Mr X to bring these matters to our attention much sooner. There is no good reason to exercise discretion to investigate them now.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is no good reason to exercise discretion to investigate matters that took place this long ago.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman