Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the adult social care precept element of Mr X’s council tax bill. The precept level impacts all or most of the people in the Council’s area and such complaints are out of our legal remit.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains the Council increased the adult social care precept element of his council tax charge whilst at the same time reducing its adult social care spending. Mr X says this means the council tax charge is unlawful.

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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 and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. Council tax charges impact all or most of the people in the Council’s area and so, as per paragraph two, we cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint.

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Final decision

6. We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint. It is out of our legal remit as it impacts on all or most of the people in the Council’s area.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman