Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about council tax increases. This is because this is a complaint about a general policy affecting all or most local residents.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains about his council tax being increased. He says he is now distressed and would like his council tax to be decreased. He would also like overpaid council officers to be sacked.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
3. 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

4. I considered information provided by the complainant.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. We cannot investigate general complaints about the Council’s policies where there is no evidence of a specific personal injustice to the complainant.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it affects all or most of the people in the Council’s area.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman