Summary: We will not investigate this complaint regarding council tax arrears. This is because the injustice is not significant enough to warrant an investigation.

The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Ombudsman investigates complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start or may decide not to continue with an investigation if we decide any injustice is not significant enough to justify our involvement. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6))

How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by Mr X and his comments in response to my draft decision. I also considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

My assessment

4. Mr X says that he made full payment for council tax bills he was sent in May and June 2020. Following this, Mr X says he was sent demands for £17.61.
5. Mr X complained to the Council and it explained that although it had allocated Mr X’s payment to a different year, the outstanding amount remained the same. In recognition of this confusion, it withdrew the notices and offered Mr X two weeks to pay the balance.
6. Mr X says the arrears are caused by council error so should be waived. Mr X also said the Council has failed to prove he owes £17.61 but it has sent him the calculations it used.
7. While I recognise this may have frustrated Mr X, and he says he spent a lot of time trying to resolve the issue, this does not represent a degree of injustice that requires an investigation.

Final decision

8. We will not investigate this complaint. This is because the injustice is not significant enough to warrant an investigation.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman