Nottingham City Council (23 002 902)
Category : Benefits and tax > Council tax
Decision : Closed after initial enquiries
Decision date : 12 Jun 2023
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s use of enforcement agents as the complainant has withdrawn his complaint.
The complaint
- Mr X complains the Council's enforcement agents visited his parents’ home in connection with a council tax debt which Mr X was not liable for. Mr X wants the Council to refund him the money he paid to its agents and to confirm this matter will not have a negative impact on his credit rating.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
- The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
- We can decide whether to start or discontinue an investigation into a complaint within our jurisdiction. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 24A(6) and 34B(8), as amended)
How I considered this complaint
- I considered information provided by the complainant.
- I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
- Mr X has been in touch to tell us the Council has now confirmed it will repay the money in full to him. Mr X says he is happy with this outcome and that as such, he no longer wishes to proceed with his complaint. For this reason, we will not investigate.
Final decision
- We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because he has withdrawn it.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman