The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a Council tax increase as it affects all or most of the population of the area.
The complaint
Mr X complains that the Council changed its boundaries which resulted in an increase in Council tax.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
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)
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
Mr X says that the Council altered its boundaries which resulted in an increase in the Council tax charged in the area.
The Ombudsman cannot investigate a complaint which affects all or most of the people in the area. As such the complaint is out of jurisdiction.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it affects all or most of the people in the area.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman