Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Council tax support. This is because the complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. The Ombudsman cannot investigate a complaint which affects all or most of the population.

The complaint

1. Mr X says that the Council has changed the way it assesses Council tax support claims and he is now worse off.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. 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)
3. 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)
4. 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

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

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My Assessment

7. Mr X says that the Council has altered the way they assess Council tax support claims so that some claimants are better off, and some worse off. Whilst Mr X has a right of appeal to a Valuation Tribunal, the Council’s decision to alter the calculation potentially affects all or most of the population. The complaint is therefore out of jurisdiction.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it affects all or most of the population.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman