Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about council tax reduction as Ms X can appeal against the Council’s decision not to award it to her to the Valuation Tribunal.

The complaint

1. Mrs X complains the Council has refused her application for council tax reduction. Mrs X says she is in receipt of disability benefits and cannot afford to pay full council tax.

Back to top

The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The law says we cannot normally investigate a complaint when someone can appeal to a tribunal. However, we may decide to investigate if we consider it would be unreasonable to expect the person to appeal. (Local Government Act 1974, section 26(6)(a), as amended)

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

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

Back to top

My assessment

5. In its decision on Ms X’s application for council tax reduction, the Council advised Ms X of how to appeal the decision, ultimately to the Valuation Tribunal (VT). The VT is the independent body that is able to decide such appeals; we cannot. It is reasonable therefore to expect Ms X to appeal and so we will not investigate.

Back to top

Final decision

6. We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because she can appeal against the Council’s decision to the VT.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman