Summary: Mr X complains about the way the Council sent him council tax bills. We will not investigate this complaint because the matter has been remedied.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains about the way the Council sent him council tax bills.

Back to top

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)

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
5. I considered the complainant’s comments on my draft decision.

Back to top

My assessment

6. Mr X says that the Council sent him four different council tax bills without proper explanation.
7. The Council says that there was a change of circumstance to his liability as his son started university in September 2021. The Council accepts that the council tax support claim was not updated when new information was provided and this led to incorrect council tax bills being sent to Mr X.
8. Mr X complained and the Council apologised for their error and corrected the claim and bill.
9. I appreciate that Mr X was upset and caused inconvenience in making his complaint. However, the Council has apologised and corrected the bill. I am satisfied that this is an appropriate remedy and therefore there are no grounds to investigate his complaint.

Back to top

Final decision

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

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman