Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s increase of council tax levels in the past four years. This is because it is a matter which affects all or most of the residents of the Council’s area and is outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction for these reasons.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained about the Council’s increases in the level of council tax in his area over the past four years. He says it has been higher than the level of inflation and is unreasonable.

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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)

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How I considered this complaint

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

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My assessment

5. Mr X complains that the level of council tax is too high in comparison with national inflation levels. He wants the Council’s decisions on setting the Council tax to be reviewed independently, possibly by a local Member of Parliament.
6. The Council is the authority responsible for setting council tax budgets and levels each year. We have no jurisdiction to investigate the level of council tax which affects all or most of the residents in a council’s area.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is a matter which affects all or most of the residents of the Council’s area and is outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction for these reasons.

Investigator’s decision on behalf of the Ombudsman

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman