Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint the Council has demanded council tax from 2004-08 due to its error in paying a discount. The complaint is resolved because the Council has written off the debt which is a fair outcome.

The complaint

1. Ms X complains the Council decided she owes £1374 council tax from 2004 to 2008 due to it mistakenly granting her a discount. Ms X says it is not fair or lawful for the Council to recover a debt from so many years ago which it acknowledges was caused by its error. She says the Council has caused her anxiety and stress and should write off the debt.

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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 or may decide not to 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(6))

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How I considered this complaint

3. I have considered Ms X’s information and comments and spoke to her by telephone. I have considered the Council’s information.

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My assessment

4. I will not investigate this complaint because the matter is resolved. The Council has reviewed the case and decided it is not reasonable to pursue the debt which it has written off. There is not other injustice.

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Final decision

5. The Ombudsman will not investigate Ms X’s complaint the Council has demanded council tax from 2004-08 due to its error in paying a discount. The complaint is resolved because the Council has written off the debt which is a fair outcome.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman