Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council pursuing Mr X for council tax for his mother’s home. The Council has now provided him a refund and we are satisfied with this.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained the Council wrongly pursued him for a council tax bill for his mother’s house. The Council did not respond to his application to have the bill written off and then did not follow up when it said Mr X would be refunded. Mr X says this caused him significant distress. Mr X wants the Council to refund the more than £6,500 he 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 an organisation 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.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. Mr X’s representative says the Council delayed refunding Mr X more than £6,500 when they applied for the council tax debt for his mother’s property to be written off. They complained to the Ombudsman in late 2022. The Council has now refunded Mr X, and there is not good reason to use public funds to investigate the matter. We are satisfied the Council has now remedied the injustice.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because the Council has now provided a satisfactory remedy.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman