Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Council tax support as the matter is out of time and was appealed to a Valuation Tribunal.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains that the Council acted fraudulently when dealing with a Council tax support appeal to the Valuation Tribunal.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We cannot investigate late complaints unless we decide there are good reasons. Late complaints are when someone takes more than 12 months to complain to us about something a council provider has done. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 26B and 34D, as amended)
3. We cannot investigate a complaint if someone has appealed to a tribunal or a government minister or started court action about the matter. (Local Government Act 1974, section 26(6), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

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

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My assessment

6. Mr X appealed to a Valuation Tribunal about his Council tax support in 2006. The Ombudsman cannot investigate a complaint about the appeal because any argument was for the Valuation Tribunal to consider. Further, the Ombudsman would expect any complaint about such a matter to have been made to this office within 12 months and so this matter is out of jurisdiction for this reason as well.
7. Any allegation of corruption is a matter for the Police.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is out of time and was appealed to a Valuation Tribunal.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman