Summary: Ms X complains about the Council’s enforcement of a council tax debt. We will not investigate this complaint because the matter has been remedied.

The complaint

1. Ms X complains about the Council’s enforcement of a council tax debt.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’. In this statement, I have used the word ‘fault’ to refer to these. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We may decide not to start or continue with an investigation if we are satisfied with the actions a council has taken or proposes to take. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(7), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

3. I have considered the comments of the complainant and the Council and the complainant was given an opportunity to comment on the draft decision.

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What I found

4. The Council obtained a Liability Order against Ms X for unpaid council tax in 2019. The Council instructed bailiffs to visit her to enforce the debt and they obtained £1,234 from her. The Council subsequently accept that they had not awarded her a single occupancy discount. The Council paid her the discount and also reduced the costs related to the court order and bailiff fees. The Council also agreed to pay a further £100 to reflect the time and trouble of making the complaint.
5. I am satisfied that the Council could have pursued enforcement of the debt despite the refund of the single occupancy discount. Therefore, the Council’s agreement to refund the fees and a payment of compensation is a reasonable settlement of this complaint.

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Final decision

6. I do not intend to investigate this complaint because the matter has been remedied.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman