Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Ms X’s council tax reduction claim. This is because the Council has resolved the complaint by awarding the reduction.

The complaint

1. The complainant, who I refer to as Ms X, complained the Council had not awarded her council tax reduction for an outstanding period following her student exemption.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. 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)

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by Ms X and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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Final decision

5. We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because the Council has resolved the complaint by awarding council tax reduction for the outstanding period.

Investigator’s decision on behalf of the Ombudsman

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman