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

The complaint

1. The complainant, whom I refer to as Mr X, complains the Council sent him a council tax summons without first sending him a bill or a reminder. Mr X wants the Council to set up a payment plan and waive the £95 fee.

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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 Mr X and the Council. I also considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code and invited Mr X to comment on a draft of this decision.

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My assessment

4. Mr X moved to his current address in July. He contacted the Council in August and asked it set up paperless billing for council tax. The Council set up an account and sent an e-bill on 17 August. It sent an e-reminder on 10 September. The Council then sent a summons, by post, on 8 October.
5. Mr X contacted the Council and said he had registered for council tax but had not received a bill. The Council set up a direct debit and withdrew the reminder and the summons

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Final decision

6. I will not investigate this complaint because the problem has been resolved.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman