Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about delay in a council tax refund cheque being paid. This has now been processed and this is the outcome the complainant sought.

The complaint

1. Mrs X complains she could not finalise the administration of a deceased person’s estate as she was waiting for a council tax refund to it, from the Council. Mrs X asked us to ensure the refund was paid.

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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)

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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. In response to some enquiries we made about this complaint, the Council confirmed the refund was processed some time ago. This is the outcome sought by the complainant and we will not therefore investigate.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint because the Council has provided the outcome that was sought.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman