Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about council tax and council tax reduction because the problem has been resolved.

The complaint

1. The complainant, whom I refer to as Ms X, complains about her council tax and council tax reduction (CTR). She says she is entitled to CTR and wants her council tax sorted out.

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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 an investigation if the problem has been resolved. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6))

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by Ms X and the Council. I considered our Assessment Code and invited Ms X to comment on a draft on this decision.

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My assessment

4. Ms X had council tax arrears. She contacted the Council in April 2021 to ask for her CTR for 2019/20 and 2020/21 to be reviewed. The Council asked Ms X for some information to support the review. Ms X provided the information in October and the Council reviewed the CTR from January 2020. The Council then awarded full CTR from January 2020 and revised the council tax. It removed the council tax costs and recalled the debt from the bailiffs. The Council issued new council tax bills which showed Ms X no longer had arrears and her account for 2019/20 and 2020/21 was clear.
5. I will not start an investigation because the problem has been resolved. The Council has awarded more CTR, cancelled the costs and recalled the account from the bailiffs. There is no need for an investigation.

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Final decision

6. I will not investigate this complaint because the problem has been resolved. Investigator’s decision on behalf of the Ombudsman

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman