Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about an energy rebate scheme because we could not add to the previous investigation by the Council and further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

The complaint

1. Mr Y complained the Council did not pay him an energy rebate. Mr Y says this means he has not received funding from the government to help towards the costs of heating.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start or continue an investigation if we decide we could not add to any previous investigation by the organisation, or further investigation would not lead to a different outcome. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information Mr Y and the Council provided and the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

4. In February 2022 the Government announced an energy rebate scheme to help households with fuel costs. Councils were responsible for issuing a non-repayable rebate for households in Bands A to D, known as a Council Tax Rebate, amounting to £150.
5. Mr Y says he has not received an energy rebate from the Council and complained to the Council about this. The Council explained it has credited Mr Y’s council tax account for £150 in June 2022, and then by a further £20 in July 2022. Mr Y then pay his council tax as usual, so the Council refunded £170 to Mr Y by cheque in August. It says that its records show the amount was presented to the bank three days later.
6. The Council says its records to not show the amount was returned and its has therefore paid Mr Y correctly. It has asked Mr Y to provide bank statements showing he has not received the payment for it to look into the issue further if necessary, however this has not been provided.
7. The Council records indicate that the payment has been made, and it has offered to reconsider this if Mr Y provides evidence it has not been paid. These are the same steps we would take, so any investigation we may undertake would be unable to add to the previous investigation by the Council and would not lead to a different outcome. Consequently, we will not investigate this complaint.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Mr Y’s complaint because we could not add to the previous investigation by the Council and further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman