The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Mr X’s unhappiness with the Council tax he is required to pay. This is because the complaint is about matters which affect all or most of the people in Mr X’s area.
The complaint
Mr X complained the Council has not sufficiently justified the amount of council tax he has to pay.
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)
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 was not transparent about where it allocates the council tax he pays. He said the Council should accept a partial payment that was more reflective of the services he uses.
The Council explained council tax is a local tax rather than a charge for service and directed Mr X to information about what council tax is used for.
Mr X remains unhappy and wants us to find the Council at fault. The Ombudsman will not investigate matters that affect all or most of the people in a council’s area. As all residents are required to pay council tax in Mr X’s area, this is not a complaint we can investigate.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because the complaint is about matters which affect all or most of the people in Mr X’s area.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman