Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council not awarding Mr X council tax support for the period August 2022 to March 2023 and April 2023 to March 2024. This is because it is out of jurisdiction as there are no good reasons for why he cannot appeal to the Valuation Tribunal Service.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains the Council has not awarded him council tax support for the period August 2022 to March 2023, and April 2023 to March 2024.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The law says we cannot normally investigate a complaint when someone can appeal to a tribunal about the same matter. 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)
3. The Valuation Tribunal deals with appeals against decisions on council tax liability and council tax support or reduction.

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by the complainant.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. Mr X says the Council did not award him any council tax support for the period August 2022 to March 2024.
7. Appeals against not awarding a discount, including council tax support/reduction, is a matter for the Valuation Tribunal Service. There are no good reasons for why Mr X cannot appeal to the Valuation Tribunal Service. Therefore, we will not investigate this complaint.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is out of jurisdiction as there are no good reasons for why he cannot appeal to the Valuation Tribunal Service.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman